

Sensemaker
The Observer
The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.Subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription:Early access, bonus content and ad-free listening to our podcastsA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 19, 2023 • 6min
Ep 620: Race to the bottom
Mining the ocean floor for rare minerals could help the world shift away from fossil fuels. But conservationists fear the consequences for a fragile ecosystem.For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 2023 • 8min
Ep 619: The allegations against Crispin Odey
Crispin Odey, one of Britain’s richest men and a powerful political donor, has been accused of sexual misconduct by thirteen women.For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 15, 2023 • 6min
Ep 618: Not in Vogue
The first black man to lead the world’s biggest fashion magazine is standing down as the editor of British Vogue. What does this tell us about the magazine industry?For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 14, 2023 • 6min
Ep 617: A truce in golf’s civil war
An intense battle in professional golf came to an abrupt end after it was announced LIV Golf and the PGA Tour would merge. What does it tell us about the future of sport?For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 13, 2023 • 6min
Ep 616: Nicola Sturgeon arrested
Scotland’s former first minister has been questioned by police as part of a major investigation into SNP finances. What does this mean for the party?For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 12, 2023 • 6min
Ep 615: What’s happening with the Covid inquiry?
After repeated calls to set up an inquiry into its response to Covid the government eventually appointed a judge called Baroness Heather Hallett to lead one. Why is it now taking its own inquiry to court?For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 9, 2023 • 8min
Ep 614: Frank Cottrell-Boyce: "We are letting our children down"
After the controversy around changes made to Roald Dahl’s stories, Tortoise speaks to author Frank Cottrell-Boyce about whether children’s books are taken seriously enough. Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year.As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us.Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 8, 2023 • 5min
Ep 613: The Ukraine dam explosion
An explosion at a vast Ukrainian dam that sent flood water cascading into neighbourhoods on either side of the Dnipro river has caused international outrage. What does it tell us about the next stage of the war?Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 7, 2023 • 7min
Ep 612: The war hero accused of war crimes
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most-decorated living soldier, has lost a defamation case against three newspapers who reported claims that he had murdered unarmed prisoners and civilians while serving in Afghanistan. The judge said the allegations that he was actually a war criminal, a liar and a bully were "substantially true".Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 6, 2023 • 7min
Ep 611: The politics of Novak Djokovic
One of the world’s biggest sports stars has used the French Open to deliver a political message about an international crisis. What did Novak Djokovic write and why is it so controversial?Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism.For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year.As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


