The Story

Epizodes

• Can I be a dad and not a parent? - The Saturday Story 18.07.2026 10min

  Ben Kawaller suddenly has the urge to have children, but he would prefer not to raise them. Luckily, there is a growing online market that can help with that.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: Ben Kawaller, reporter and essayist. Producer: Dave Creasey.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: I’ve decided to become a father. Does anyone want my sperm?Photo: Adam Grey for The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The remarkable rise of Andy Burnham 17.07.2026 31min

  Today, Andy Burnham will be crowned Labour leader. On Monday, he'll become Prime Minister -- Britain's fifth in as many years. But questions are still lingering over the direction he’ll take the government. And more than that, people are still trying to decipher who the man really is. We turn to our man in Westminster, who has spent plenty of time with Burnham, to try to get some answers.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producers: Harry Stott.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Andy Burnham wants to break ‘unaccountable state’Further listening: Will Burnham scrap the most expensive promise in politics?Clips: Andy Burnham / X, BBC, Coljax Parliament / Youtube, LBC, Nimrod Kamer / Youtube, Manchester Evening News, The Mirror.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• How war is changing Iran from within 16.07.2026 33min

  For the first time since the war began, a Times journalist has reported from inside Iran. World Affairs editor Catherine Philp travelled there for the week-long funeral of the former ayatollah, leaving just as US strikes resumed. Amid the latest escalation, how united is the country over the war? And what do the continuing hostilities mean for the daily lives of millions of people across Iran?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Catherine Philp, world affairs editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Sophie McNulty, Jesse Fox.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: US blockade begins in Strait while strikes on Iran enter fifth dayFurther listening: What Iranians really think of Trump’s peace dealClips: C-Span, BBC, Fox News, The Times, DRM News. Photo: Times Photographer Jack Hill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The method in the madness of Thomas Tuchel 15.07.2026 30min

  The England football team’s manager Thomas Tuchel has led  his squad to a World Cup semi-final against old rivals Argentina. A cerebral football obsessive, he has a tendency to self-immolate when things are going well. So is this the fate that awaits the Tuchel-England experiment? Or could the tensions between the manager and his star player Jude Bellingham actually prove the key to victory?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Mehreen Khan, economics editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Jesse Fox, Harry Stott.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Thomas Tuchel’s tough love for England not without riskFurther listening: The men who made the World Cup - The Sunday StoryClips: Football Smash / Youtube, Sky News, Talk Sport, Sports Unfiltered / Youtube, BBC.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• What Finland can teach the NHS about treating psychosis 14.07.2026 27min

  It’s no secret that NHS mental health care is under strain - long waiting lists, disjointed communication between providers, and patients left in limbo. So how did it end up this way? And could a treatment model from Finland be the solution? The Sunday Times went to find out.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Roisin Kelly, journalist and commissioning editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Micaela Arneson. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: What Lapland can teach the NHS about treating psychosisFurther listening: Britain’s mental health reckoning - part oneClips: Channel 4, Nottingham Inquiry.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• LATEST: The investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death 13.07.2026 19min

  Counterterrorism police are now leading the investigation into the alleged murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe. A 28-year-old man has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests:Oliver Wright, policy editor, The Times.Stephen Roberts, former Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police Jonathan Hall, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism LegislationHost: John Pienaar.Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson, and Taryn Siegel.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Ann Widdecombe death: counterterrorism police leading investigationPhoto: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The ultraconservative pastor behind the US Secretary of War 13.07.2026 31min

  As the Iran war reignites, there's a hidden figure influencing the American side. In an exclusive interview for The Times, Pete Hegseth’s pastor Doug Wilson says the conflict in Iran is a righteous battle against Muslims, homosexuality is evil, and women who dress immodestly are sluts. How is this ultraconservative influencing US foreign policy? And could we see his brand of Christianity in the UK?This podcast contains mention of some topics listeners may find offensive.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Pete Hegseth’s pastor: ‘Women who dress immodestly are sluts’Further listening: Trump v the Supreme Court and Fi and Jane interivew Pastor WilsonClips: PBS, CNN, New Founding Podcast / YouTube, Pulp Fiction / Quentin Tarantino / Mirimax, The Independent, Blog&Mablog / YouTube, Daniel Foucachon / YouTube. Photo: Dominic Gwinn / Zuma Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Part 2 | Family Man: Could Alex Murdaugh be innocent? - The Sunday Story 12.07.2026 32min

  Alex Murdaugh stands accused of the brutal murders of his wife and son. As shocking evidence, devastating testimony, and disturbing secrets unfold in court, one question still hangs over everything: Did he actually do it?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: James Lasdun, author of The Family Man.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Dave Creasey and Jesse Fox.Clips: CNN, CBS, Fox News, CourtRoomTV, WCSC, WIS News, WJCL, NBC, GMA.Image: Getty Images.Times Book Shop: The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of Murdaugh. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Part 1 | Family Man: The shocking Murdaugh murders - The Saturday Story 11.07.2026 33min

  The Murdaugh family had power, wealth, and influence until two brutal killings exposed a world of stolen millions and deadly secrets. As the lies unravelled, a once-untouchable dynasty collapsed into one of America’s darkest true crime cases. But what really happened that night, and who is to blame?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: James Lasdun, author of The Family Man.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Dave Creasey and Jesse Fox.Clips: CNN, CBS, Fox News, CourtRoomTV, WCSC, WIS News, WJCL, NBC.Image: Getty Images.Times Book Shop: The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of MurdaughWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• LATEST: Why are Scotland Yard investigating Reform donations? 10.07.2026 16min

  More revelations are coming out about donations to Reform UK. The Sunday Times Insight team have discovered that the Metropolitan Police are investigating a £500,000 donation from the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell. How will this affect Farage’s chances in the Clacton by-election now scheduled for August? And what does it say about the state of political donations in the UK more widely?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Gabriel Pogrund, insight editor, The Sunday Times.Richard Tice, Reform UK MP.Peter Geoghegan, investigative journalist.Host: Ayesha Hazarika.Producer: Musty Aziz.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Police investigate Reform donations by mother of fraudster who bankrolled FarageFurther listening: Posh George: The criminal behind FaragePhoto: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Why can’t Britain handle the heat? 10.07.2026 26min

  Summer 2026 is another scorcher, with temperature records being broken across Europe. Infrastructure in the UK is creaking; with trains cancelled, schools closed and people sweltering in their homes. Why does Europe seem to be heating up more than other continents? And could outlandish ideas hold the answer to cooling us down long term?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Tom Whipple, science writer and special correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Harry Stott.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Heatwave exposes flaws in Britain’s ability to supply fresh foodFurther listening: Have we stopped caring about climate change?Clips: Channel 4, BBC, Sky News. Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• On the Albanian island Ivanka Trump wants to buy 09.07.2026 31min

  Weeks of protests in Albania show no signs of stopping. Tens of thousands have been taking to the streets to oppose the proposed purchase and development of land by Donald Trump’s daughter and son-in-law. As the country’s tourist industry booms, there is a divide over the cost of development and the country’s sense of self. Our writer went to the island at the centre of a political and national identity crisis.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Richard Assheton, features writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Taryn Siegel.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Is this the Kushners’ $5bn Albania resort? 350 yachts and a water parkClips: David Senra podcast, APT, X/@IsamyzyrajAlb, IG/@thebrickobserversatire, DW News.Photo: Richard Assheton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• LATEST: Will Farage’s by-election gambit work? 08.07.2026 12min

  It’s been a rollercoaster 24 hours for Nigel Farage and Reform – a by-election called, a major party boycott, and now the spectre of a two horse race against Count Binface. So will his high risk play pay off as he takes his case to the people? And what do the voters of Clacton really think about it?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Terry Stiastny, political correspondent, Times Radio.Rosie Wright, presenter, Times Radio.Peter Kellner, pollster and former president of YouGov.Host: John Pienaar.Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Will voters in Clacton back Nigel Farage second time around?Further listening: Nigel Farage resigns. What now?Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Nigel Farage resigns. What now? 08.07.2026 30min

  After a Sunday Times investigation revealed Nigel Farage’s links to a convicted fraudster, and with the spectre of a parliamentary standards investigation looming over him, Farage will now put his fate in the hands of his constituents in Clacton in a by-election. But will this gambit work? And what does the Sunday Times journalist who led the investigation think about it?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Gabriel Pogrund, Insight editor, The Sunday TimesFraser Nelson, columnist, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Sophie McNulty, Harry Stott. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Will risky resignation ploy pay off for Nigel Farage? Further listening: Posh George: the criminal behind FarageClips: Reform UK / Youtube, Sky News, BBC. Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• How Putin is dividing NATO 07.07.2026 29min

  NATO is gathering in Turkey for its annual summit, and defence spending, Iran and Ukraine are all on the agenda. But behind the scenes there are warnings that Putin is planning his next attack - on a NATO country. So what might that aggression look like? And is the alliance ready?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Olivia Case and Shabnam Grewal.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Putin the agent of chaos revelling in division between US and EuropeFurther listening: Defence spending: too little too late? Clips: France 24, @MaxAfterburnerusa / YouTube, @joeycontinonews / YouTube, TVP Info, BBC, Sky, The Guardian, GB News, Fox News, USA Today, CBC. Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Introducing | Posh George: The criminal behind Farage 06.07.2026 25min

  Today, we bring you the first episode of a new series from one of our sister podcasts, The Times Investigates. Posh George: The criminal behind Farage The Sunday Times’s Insight team investigate how the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage - who could hold the keys to Number 10 - has come to depend upon a crypto evangelist, gambler and fraudster. Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.Listen to Episode 2 and the full series right now.Read more: Revealed - Nigel Farage secretly funded by convicted criminalWatch: Everything you need to know about the aristocrat funding Nigel Farage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Who still counts as Native American in 2026? - The Sunday Story 05.07.2026 29min

  As the United States marks 250 years of modern America, a country founded on freedom, liberty, and justice, for Native Americans, that history reads very differently. After centuries of oppression, survival, and the ongoing reclamation of culture, what does it mean to be Native American today? And why does the question of who has the right to claim that identity remain so deeply contested?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Louise Callaghan, senior US correspondent, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Dave Creasey.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Who still counts as Native American in 2026?Photo: Tailyr Irvine for the Sunday Times Magazine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• How Britain drove America to independence - The Saturday Story 04.07.2026 19min

  Today America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. It’s an epic tale of revolution, rebellion and the making of a global superpower. But how did Britain end up fighting, and losing, the war that gave birth to the most powerful nation on earth?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: Jack Blackburn, history correspondent, The Times. Producer: Dave Creasey.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: How Britain drove America to independencePhoto: Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Will Farage's finances lead to his downfall? 03.07.2026 31min

  Nigel Farage has drawn increasing political and public scrutiny for a £5 million personal gift from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne in 2024. Farage says it’s for his security and nobody else’s business, but has he made a political misstep which risks his future aspirations to be PM? And do extra revelations about his property portfolio and his lucrative role with a gold bullion company add extra pressure?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Sebastian Payne, columnist, The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducers: David Whitty, Sophie McNultyWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Nigel Farage’s £5 million is a burden for ReformFurther listening: Inside Farage’s political earthquake Clips: BBC, LBC, Times Radio, Rupert Lowe - facebook, Direct Bullion, The Mirror.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Trump v the Supreme Court 02.07.2026 21min

  The US Supreme Court has finished a momentous term with some ground-breaking rulings on a raft of issues from trans rights to birthright citizenship. And one case has greatly expanded presidential powers. So is this term a win for Trump? And what does it mean for the country’s future?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Olivia Case and Micaela Arneson. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Supreme Court rules Trump cannot scrap birthright citizenshipFurther listening: Why Trump's attack on the Fed affects us allClips: USA Today, Fox, CBS News, CSPAN, Times Radio, ABC News, CNN, KTLA, The Washington Post.   Photo: Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.