The Week Unwrapped - with Olly Mann

Japanese divorce, London’s web wars and Eurovision Asia

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Why is joint custody controversial in Japan? Does London deserve its online reputation for mayhem? And why is Eurovision expanding eastwards? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Messina

Image credit: Sebastien Bozon / AFP / Getty Images

Organ donation, Gerry Adams and corgi-cloning

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:30:00 +0100

What’s gone wrong with Britain’s transplant system? Why did Gerry Adams’ trial collapse? And did Fergie really want to clone the late Queen’s dogs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson

Image credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

Brexit backtracking, Banksy and a battery breakthrough

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Is Britain rethinking its big break with the EU? Will Banksy survive (another) unmasking? And is battery technology about to take a leap forward? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Arion McNicoll and Felicity Capon.

Image credit: Daniel Leal / AFP / Getty Images

A proxy Gulf war, Chile’s right turn and Meta’s AI gamble

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Why are Saudi Arabia and the UAE at odds in Africa? How will a new president change Chile? And why did Meta just buy a social network built for AI? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Hariet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson

Image credit: Andrea Domeniconi / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images

France’s nuclear arsenal, dinosaurs for sale and North Korean football

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:30:00 +0100

What does France’s nuclear policy shift mean for Europe? Why is the dinosaur market booming? And can North Korea regain its place at the top of women’s football?

What will happen if we run out of RAM?

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Is the world running out of RAM? Why is the Royal Artillery keeping looted treasure behind closed doors? And how can Heathrow's car park cost £1.3bn?

Image credit: credit: SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg / Getty Images

Freemasons in the police, prediction markets and the UK’s creative crisis

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Do the Freemasons have too much sway in the police force? What does the growing popularity of prediction markets mean for the future? Why are UK film and TV workers struggling?

With Arion McNicoll, Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Suchandrika Chakrabati.

Image: Sam Mellish / In Pictures / Getty Images

Iranian confessions, Musk’s moonshot and BBC puzzles

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Have televised confessions quelled protests in Iran? Why has Elon Musk turned from Mars to the Moon? And will the BBC prove to be a puzzles champ? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Harriet Marsden.

Image credit: Atta Kenare / AFP / Getty Images

Russia’s shadow fleet, tackling cancer and a new broom at Disney

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Why does Russia send so many ships through the Channel? What does a ‘feminist’ approach to cancer involve? And who is Mickey’s new boss? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Hariet Marsden and Jamie Timson.

Image credit: Damien Meyer / AFP / Getty Images

Xi’s purge, Prosper UK and hearing difficulties

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Why is China clearing out its generals? Can the Conservatives win back the centre? And what’s gone wrong with Britain’s hearing aids? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Lintao Zhang / Getty Images

Billionaires, immoral orders and cow tools

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Have we reached ‘peak billionaire’? When should troops disobey their superiors? And what can we learn from a tool-wielding cow? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Jamie Timson.

Image credit: William West / AFP / Getty Images

Bobi Wine, cancer research fraud and Are You Dead?

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 02:30:00 +0100

Will Uganda’s pop-star politician prevail? Is dodgy data undermining medical research? And what does a new app reveal about Chinese society? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Michel Lunanga/Getty Images

Grok abuse, the politics of Mumsnet and Avatar’s cultural impact

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:30:00 +0100

Is Elon Musk’s AI tool a platform for abuse? Can Mumsnet predict who will be the next PM? And who is still watching Avatar sequels? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon

Image credit: Vincent Feuray / Hans Lucas /AFP / Getty Images

The Year Unwrapped: Emotional bots, weight loss and British culture

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 04:00:00 +0100

Why are we so willing to bond with AI bots? How will appetite suppressants change society? And is Britain back on the main stage? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 12 months.

With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Holden Frith

Image credit: Jim Dyson / Getty Images

The politics of AI, forever chemicals and universal income

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Why is George Osborne joining OpenAI? What’s the cost of PFAs? And has universal basic income finally come of age? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Alex Hudson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden.

Image credit: Just Super / Getty Images

Euro protests, Syria and monogamy

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:30:00 +0100

** This episode was recorded on Thursday morning, shortly before the resignation of the Bulgarian government **

How is the euro fuelling unrest in Bulgaria? Has Syria changed, a year on from its revolution? And why are humans (mostly) monogamous? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: NurPhoto / Getty Images

A Honduran reprieve, water wars and rom-coms

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Why did Trump pardon a drug-trafficking president? Will drought fuel global violence? And are romantic comedies in terminal decline? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity CaponImage credit: Shwan Nawzad / AFP / Getty Images

Slovenia, fallible leaders and mongrels

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:30:00 +0100

What can we learn from Slovenia’s rejection of assisted dying? Can politicians admit their weaknesses? And have pedigree dogs had their day? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Arion McNicoll

Image credit: Jens Buttner/ AFP / Getty Images

Cryogenic morality and a Catholic rift

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:30:00 +0100

What are the ethics of freezing your late partner? And will US Catholics rebel against the Pope? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Image credit: Andreas Solaro / AFP/ Getty Images

Anti-Putin rap, Sarajevo snipers and captive penguins

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Who were the “human hunters” of the Bosnian war? Why has a rap song become an anti-Putin anthem in Russia? And what should happen to captive penguins? With Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Felicity Capon.

Photo: Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via Getty Images

Smoking in the Maldives, rap in the UK and elderly whales

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Can the Maldives quit smoking? Are British rappers the world’s best? And can whales lead us to immortality? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie TimsonImage credit: Simone Joyner / Getty Images.

Bacon, a Dutch standoff and the art of living well

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Should we be eating less fat – or more? Who will benefit from a surprise election result? And how can art improve our health? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Bloomberg / Getty Image

Fusion, frog protests and fashion

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Will nuclear fusion deliver us from climate change? Is humour the best way to take on Trump? And will Grace Wales Bonner change Hermès for the better? 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 Jamie Timson.

Image credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images

Russian energy, parasocial relationships and bullfighting

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Is Putin’s economy running out of gas? Is online fandom inherently unhealthy? And can bullfighting win over young Spaniards? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Joaquin Corchero / Europa Press / Getty Images

Egg warning, Saudi jokes and slop

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Are imported eggs undermining animal welfare? Who had the last laugh in Riyadh? And what can we do about AI deepfakes? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Image credit: Fayez Nureldine / AFP / Getty Images

Moldova, Blair and Brollywood

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Is Russia losing its influence campaign? What’s behind Tony Blair’s comeback? And will British filmmakers survive Trump’s tariffs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Daniel Milhailescu / AFP / Getty Images

Anti-trans ideology and Anglicans

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Could US trans activists be classified as terrorists? And what’s in store for the Church of England? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jess Hullinger and Felicity Capon

Image credit: The Austin American-Statesman / Hearst Newspapers / Getty Images

Discord in Nepal, panspermia and Owain Glyndwr

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Why did Nepali voters use a gaming app to pick their next PM? Was life sent to Earth by aliens? And will a new national park boost the case for Welsh independence? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Tobias Roetsch / Future

The other ‘comfort women’, a racing strike and leg-stretching surgery

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Will the women who worked in state-run brothels set up for US soldiers succeed in court? Why is horse-racing going on strike? And what’s behind a surge in surgical height enhancement? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

Channel 4, drugs in Scotland and fertility

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 01:30:00 +0100

What does Bake Off tell us about a channel in decline? Why are Scottish drug deaths so stubbornly high? And are women in their 30s too anxious about their eggs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Scott Bryan, Jamie Timson and Catriona Stewart

Image credit: Ki Price / Getty Image

Demining Ukraine, reviving Baltimore and unleashing first ladies

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 02:30:00 +0100

Could robotic dogs help clear landmines? What can we learn from a new approach to urban renewal? And how much power rests with political spouses? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon

Image credit: Anadolu / Getty Images

The Pope's flatmates, the world remapped and seagulls

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Who gets a place in the papal digs? Can a map change the way we see the world? And why are seagull 'muggings' on the rise? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

With Rebecca Messina, Arion McNicoll and Felicity Capon

Image credit: Heritage Art / Heritage Images / Getty Images

Peace prizes, Russia's economy and pickles

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Will bringing peace to Armenia and Azerbaijan win Donald Trump a Nobel Peace Prize? What does the use of North Korean and Indian labour tell us about the Russian war economy? And why have we all gone crazy for pickles?

Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

A submarine stream, Morecambe FC and endangered jobs

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Why are people watching footage from the ocean floor? What can we learn from a football club on the brink? And which jobs will fall to AI first? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson.

Image credit: Alexis Rosenfeld / Getty Images

Climate law, a $2bn game and virtual models

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Should countries sue each other for climate damage? What does Grand Theft Auto 6 tell us about the health of the video game industry? And could AI replace catwalk models? 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 Felicity Capon.

Image credit: Pau Barrena / Getty Images

Ukrainian corruption, Unesco and rental bikes

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Why is Volodymyr Zelenskyy opposing anti-corruption laws? How will US withdrawal affect Unesco? And are shared electric bikes a force for good or evil? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Felicity Capon

Image credit: Mike Kemp / Getty Images

Politicised science, abortion law and the rise of Ro Khanna

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Are scientists too left-wing? Could Ro Khanna be the next Democratic president? And is abortion still a criminal offence?

Juryless trials, NDAs and the Craic Pack

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Is Britain giving up on trial by jury? Should non-disclosure agreements be banned? And is Irish culture having a moment? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson.

Image credit: Samir Hussein / Getty Images

Female conscription, ID cards and injuries

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Should call-up rules be gender neutral? Are digital ID cards inevitable? And why do women get more ACL injuries? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden.

Image credit: Alexander Drozdov / AFP / Getty Images.

Green painkillers, mercenaries and graduate jobs

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 01:30:00 +0100

How do you turn plastics into paracetamol? What is the Wagner Group doing now? And why is it so hard to find a job after university? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jess Hullinger, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson.

Image credit: Krisztian Bocsi / Bloomberg / Getty Images

Eco-populism and private services

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 04:30:00 +0100

Could the Greens ape Reform UK? And are more people opting out of public service?Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

Italy's referendum, South Korea on stage and the Baller League

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:30:00 +0100

What does a vote on citizenship tell us about Italy? How did South Korea become a cultural powerhouse? And is the future of football six-a-side? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson

Image credit: Michele Crowe / CBS / Getty Images

Japan lifts off, the credit trap and Labubu-mania

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 01:30:00 +0100

How did Japan become a space superpower? Will buy-now-pay-later cause a new financial crisis? And why on earth are Labubu dolls so popular? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon.

Raimonda Kulikauskiene / Getty Image

Race to the Arctic, Jony Ive and the EHRC

Fri, 30 May 2025 04:00:00 +0100

Will Europe beat China and India to the North Pole? Is the man who designed the iPhone going to kill his own creation? And what's going on at the equalities watchdog? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Arion McNicoll and Emma Smith

Image credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Drug-fuelled sport, AI weapons and political dating

Fri, 23 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100

Will the Enhanced Games change the image of drugs in sport? How will autonomous weapons change warfare? And are Reform supporters more dateable than Tories? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden

Image credit: Morne de Klerk / Getty Images

Tackling cancer, BM boys and cheese

Fri, 16 May 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Will weight-loss drugs cut cancer rates? What's behind a rise in 'sextortion' cases? And why is cheese so bad for the environment? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Rebekah Evans and Catriona Stewart

Image credit: Douglas Magno / AFP / Getty Images

The anti-Trump bump, Rust and a touchy-feely robot

Fri, 09 May 2025 01:00:00 +0100

Has Donald Trump given centrists a new lease of life? How will robots benefit from a sense of touch? And was it wrong to release the deadly film Rust? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Julia Macfarlane and Irenie Forshaw.

Image credit: Pedro Pardo / Getty Images

Protecting footballers, an oil ad ban and men in publishing

Fri, 02 May 2025 01:30:00 +0100

How is professional sport dealing with dementia? Is fossil-fuel advertising on borrowed time? And do male authors need more support? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jessica Hullinger, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis and Harriet Marsden.

Image credit: Hutchinson / Mirrorpix / Getty Images

Pope Francis, married health and pistachio chocolate

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 01:00:00 +0100

Why was Latin America's first Pope so divisive in his homeland? Could marriage increase your risk of dementia? And what is the true cost of that viral pistachio chocolate?

Pubs, the digital dividend and British book bans

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Should pubs get more political support? Have we overlooked the benefits of tech for the over-50s? And are US-style book bans heading our way? Arion McNicoll and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Catriona Stewart and Rebekah Evans. Olly Mann is on holiday.

Image credit: Hugh Hastings / Getty Images

426. Womb donors, dire wolves and art

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 01:30:00 +0100

Will womb transplants transform fertility? What should we make of 'de-extinction' claims? And why are prices falling in the art market? Arion McNicoll and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Cindy Yu, Harriet Marsden and Holden Frith. Olly Mann is on holiday.

Image credit: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen / AFP / Getty Images

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

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 01:30:00 +0100

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

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

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 01:30:00 +0100

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, and eBook (Virago, Hardback £20)

https://www.virago.co.uk/titles/deborah-frances-white/six-conversations-were-scared-to-have/9780349015811/

423. El Salvador, ball games and an energy lawsuit

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 01:30:00 +0100

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

422. Revolting Canadians, Nepalese monarchists and fish

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 01:30:00 +0100

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

421. ASMR, football chants and Gaelic

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 01:30:00 +0100

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

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

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 01:30:00 +0100

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

419 Sinkholes, Saudi sport and a viral tourism ad

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:17:00 +0100

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

418. The end of the penny, Chagos Islands deal, and personality testing

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 01:30:07 +0100

Why is Trump calling time on the penny? What does the Chagos Islands deal mean for the island's inhabitants? And do personality tests discriminate against neurodivergent job applicants?

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

417 Cricket, digital soul-searching and rats

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 01:30:07 +0100

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

416. Australian antisemitism, blood minerals and rebreathing

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 01:30:07 +0100

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

415. Exoskeletons, digital passports and AI in film

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 01:30:09 +0100

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

414. Contraception, jawlines and RedNote

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 01:30:06 +0100

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

413. Guantanamo, WCs and vegan dogs

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 01:35:06 +0100

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

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

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 01:30:08 +0100

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

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

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 01:30:06 +0100

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

410. Sexsomnia, ghost guns and rainbow laces

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:30:06 +0100

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

409. Afghan midwives, depopulation and fake honey

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 01:30:07 +0100

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

408. Lenacapavir, Band Aid and tea

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 04:30:07 +0100

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

407. Migration, Wagner regroups and UFOs

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 04:00:08 +0100

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

406. Robowolves, birds and sleeper trains

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 01:30:06 +0100

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

405. New York water, mobile mergers and marriage

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 01:30:02 +0100

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

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

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 01:30:02 +0100

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

403. Fungi, women in prison and Facebook AI

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 00:30:02 +0100

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

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

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 00:30:02 +0100

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

401. Pig-butchering, copper and mature recruitment

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 00:30:02 +0100

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

400. Mexico, the menopause and Megalopolis

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 00:30:02 +0100

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: Cristopher Rogel Blanquet / Getty Images

399. Iran vs Sweden, jabless vaccines and social blocking

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 01:30:00 +0100

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

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

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 01:20:02 +0100

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.

397. The Pope, ketamine and the first trillionaire

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 01:45:01 +0100

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

396. Chinese TV, Elle Macpherson and spy whales

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:35:01 +0100

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

395. Telegram, cannabis and boring art

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:30:02 +0100

Why has France arrested the head of a social network? Will cannabis ever be legal in Britain? And have government spending cuts led to worse art? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Jamie Timson and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Image: Nadine Rupp / Getty Images

394. Orangutan diplomacy, floating turbines and EU travel

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:30:02 +0100

Are Malaysian apes now working for the palm-oil industry? Will floating wind farms boost green power? And how will new checks affect European holidays? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Jess Hullinger and Leaf Arbuthnot

Credit: Anup Shah / Getty Images

393. The Taliban, the grid and judging the judges

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 03:20:02 +0100

What's happened to Afghanistan in three years of Taliban rule? Is the UK energy network about to get an upgrade? And why are sporting judges under so much scrutiny? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Gary Caffell and Emma Smith

Photo: Mohsen Karimi / AFP / Getty Images

392. Undersea threats, tax reform and prisons

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 01:10:03 +0100

Could seaborne sabotage bring down the internet? Will Labour dare to replace the council tax? And how can we help ex-prisoners find a home? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Julia Macfarlane and Irenie Forshaw.

Image: David Oller / Europa Press / Getty Images

391. Sepsis, MPs and plastic Olympians

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 03:00:00 +0100

Have we made a breakthrough in the battle against sepsis? Are MPs treating their jobs with due respect? And are some Olympic athletes not all they seem? Arion McNicoll and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Rebekah Evans and Abdulwahab Tahhan. Olly Mann will return next week

Offshore gambling, retirement and Obama's silence

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:30:03 +0100

What stopped Barack backing Kamala? Is the world going cold on online casinos? What can we do now to fund life after work? Arion McNicoll and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and David Runciman. Olly Mann will return in two weeks

389. Trump trials, smears and Katy Perry

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 01:20:01 +0100

Are Donald Trump's legal obstacles melting away? Could self-testing replace the cervical smear? And what kind of world is Katy Perry living in? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Leaf Arbuthnot and Jamie Timson

388. Project 2025, paradise prison and life on Mars

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 01:30:03 +0100

Will Trump follow a conservative plan for a dystopian future? What is happening on the island of Diego Garcia? And how will humans fare on the red planet?

Image: Erik McGregor / LightRocket via Getty Images

387. Riots, bird flu and AI emissions

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 03:00:03 +0100

Will unrest in Turkey derail a deal with Syria? How prepared is the world for bird flu? And could AI exacerbate climate change? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Arion McNicoll and Harriet Marsden

Image: Bakr Alkasem/AFP/Getty Images

386. Poisonous planes, toxic tourism and a stressful surprise

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 00:30:12 +0100

How dangerous to our health are aircraft exhaust fumes? Why is Airbnb being banished from Barcelona? And are Ukrainians really less stressed than Brits? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jess Hullinger, Irenie Forshaw and Holden Frith

385. Political footballers, news aversion and social warning labels

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 02:00:04 +0100

Why are Les Bleus speaking out about the French election? What's making people turn off the news? And should TikTok and Instagram carry health warnings? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebekah Evans, Jamie Timson and Abdulwahab Tahhan

384. Fracas at the Festival

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 03:00:03 +0100

The Edinburgh Fringe is the latest cultural event to be drawn into a row around funding from companies linked to Israel and fossil fuels. But where other organisers have severed their ties, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has robustly defended their sponsorship deal with the investment firm Baillie Gifford. Are they right, and is the tide turning against disinvestment?

Plus: a vice-presidential plane crash and woeful weather. Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Mariana Vieira and Leaf Arbuthnot.

383. What happens when a remote tribe goes online?

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 01:00:03 +0100

The Marubo people, who live in the Amazon rainforest, are one of the most isolated societies in the world – and, until recently, it was entirely offline. When Elon Musk's Starlink brought the web to their villages, the impact was profound.

Plus: anonymity for sex-crime suspects, and a bad day for French pride

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Emma Smith and Rebecca Messina

382. The battle for Papua New Guinea

Fri, 31 May 2024 00:35:02 +0100

A week after a landslide that left hundreds of people dead, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea is facing a vote of no confidence. The outcome will be keenly watched in China, Australia and the US, which are seeking to woo the country's government and solidify their influence in the Pacific.Plus: a helicopter scandal at the MoD and the rebirth of Loaded magazine.Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Harriet Marsden and Holden Frith.

381. Will South Africa turn its back on the ANC?

Fri, 24 May 2024 02:00:00 +0100

Former president Jacob Zuma was this week banned from running as a candidate in South Africa's parliamentary elections, which take place this weekend. Despite that setback, his party could cost the ANC its majority, which it has held since the end of apartheid. Are South Africans finally falling out of love with the party of liberation?Plus: the vanishing internet, and prepping for disaster.Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Rebecca Messina and Leaf Arbuthnot.

380. What has the Pope got to do with climate change?

Fri, 17 May 2024 03:35:02 +0100

This week the Vatican is playing host to an international conference on climate change, at which many of the world's mayors and governors will discuss how we can adapt to the challenges of global warming. Could religious leaders help to win over some people who wouldn't listen to politicians?

Plus: ultra-long mortgages and Swiftonomics.

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jessica Hullinger, Guy Anker and Cindy Yu.

379. Will the US end child marriage?

Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:03 +0100

Each year tens of thousands of children, some as young as 10, are married in a handful of American states, including California, which have no lower age limit for marriage. Most of these weddings involve a young girl marrying a man who is over 18. Will a new campaign bring the practice to an end? Plus: Black maternal health and the price of olive oil.

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Sorcha Bradley, Rebekah Evans and Emma Smith.

378. Why is the world running low on blood?

Fri, 03 May 2024 05:35:02 +0100

In Britain and beyond, health services are desperately seeking blood donors. But could science help ease the crisis? This week scientists have taken a step closer to being able to convert blood from one type to another, which would allow donations to be used more efficiently and effectively. Plus an immersive D-Day simulation, and analysing a weight-loss faux pas.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 Suchandrika Chakrabarti

377. What does an Octopus feel?

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:05 +0100

Scientists are arguing that octopuses – and many other animals – experience consciousness. What does that mean for how humans treat them? Plus the size of the electric car market, and Morocco's controversial football kitOlly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jessica Hullinger and Emma Smith

#376 Sudan, tackling homelessness and fake news

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:04 +0100

What is happening in Sudan? Could London really end rough sleeping? And why has Joe Lycett been making up stories? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Rebekah Evans and Jamie Timson

#375 Ultrarunning, menswear and a meaty row

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:04 +0100

Is the "Hardest Geezer" a high-endurance trendsetter? Will Ted Baker survive? And what's the beef with lab-grown meat? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Leaf Arbuthnot and Holden Frith

#374 Deserted islands, Africa's youngest leader and showering

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:00:02 +0100

What's behind a row about an uninhabited rock? How did Bassirou Diomaye Faye get from a Senegalese jail to the presidency – in just two weeks? And how often should we wash? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia O'Driscoll, Arion McNicoll and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#373 Apologies, sporting pay and a country comeback

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 01:00:02 +0100

Is it time to say sorry for slavery? Can female sport stars close the pay gap? And is country music moving into the mainstream? 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 Jamie Timson

#372 Egypt, deep-sea mining and age ratings

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 01:00:01 +0100

What's behind the EU's deal with Egypt? Should we mine the seabed for minerals? And are we getting more prudish about movies? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Jamie Timson and Leaf Arbuthnot.

#371 Derelict homes, Welsh mines and vinyl

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:05:51 +0100

What can we do about abandoned property? Are old mines still doing us harm? And what do LP sales tell us about the economy? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Julia Macfarlane and Guy Anker.

#370 Methane, whales and Soho Strife

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 01:00:02 +0100

Can satellites stop methane leaks from space? Are British whale-beachings on the rise? And what's gone wrong at Soho House? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jessica Hullinger, Harriet Marsden and Julia O'Driscoll

#369 Measles, karting and TikTok tunes

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 01:00:02 +0100

What's behind the rising number of measles outbreaks? Will a new female karting competition change motorsport for the better? And why are some songs disappearing from TikTok? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Emma Smith and Sorcha Bradley

#368 Ageing leaders, asbestos and getting sozzled

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 05:00:02 +0100

Should political leaders undergo cognitive testing? How did Sydney find itself in the midst of an asbestos crisis? And why are there so many English words for getting drunk? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Cindy Yu and Harriet Marsden

#367 Tipping points, hacking and trigger warnings

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 01:00:02 +0100

What would the collapse of a climate regulating ocean current system mean for the world? How hackable is UK infrastructure? And are theatre audiences too squeamish? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jess Hullinger, Rebekah Evans and Jamie Timson

#366 Sham science, a fake death and hair-raising prices

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 01:00:02 +0100

Is science facing a credibility crisis? Why did an Indian influencer fake her own death? And should men and women pay the same for a haircut? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Leaf Arbuthnot

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#365 Musical misogyny, empty schools and wealthy woe

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 01:00:02 +0100

What's the music industry's problem with women? Why are schools running out of pupils? And what can we learn from two unhappy football stars? 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 Guy Anker

#364 Finland, holograms and the Razzies

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 01:00:02 +0100

Will Finnish voters set a new course for Europe? Are holographic lecturers the future of education? And why do we love to hate bad films? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Julia O'Driscoll and Emma Smith

#363 Wellness, stressful siblings and NFL

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 05:00:03 +0100

Is there any point to corporate wellness? And the science behind sibling rivalry? And could American football replace rugby? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Leaf Arbuthnot and Sorcha Bradley.

#362 Taiwan, solar engineering and secret TikTok

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 05:00:03 +0100

How will China respond to Taiwan's election? Can we refreeze the Arctic sea ice? And why is TikTok hiding its data? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Jessica Hullinger

#361 Mayoral strife, tax changes and Disney unbound

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 01:00:02 +0100

Why is the race to be Mayor of London so fractious? Will new tax laws snare unsuspecting eBayers? And what will we do with the first copyright-free Disney cartoon? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Guy Anker and Rebekah Evans

#360 The Year Unwrapped – Venezuela, gold and Covid in culture

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 01:00:02 +0100

Is Caracas the world's most consequential capital? What's going on with the gold price? And will Covid ever lead to great art? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 12 months. With Harriet Marsden, Holden Frith and Jamie Timson

#359 Morning sickness, a missing minister and massive bills

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 01:00:03 +0100

Will morning sickness finally be cured? Why has the government abolished a ministerial post? And what's behind a spate of absurdly high energy bills? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jess Hullinger, Rebekah Evans and Guy Anker

#358 Blackouts, braces and bronzes

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 01:00:03 +0100

Can we rely on the national grid? What will happen to Smile Direct's customers? And what kind of art can you use to pay your tax bill? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Emma Smith and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#357 Korean space race, porn-scanning and job hogs

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 01:00:03 +0100

Is Korean rivalry spilling over into space? Could face scans keep young people away from porn and who has time for two full-time jobs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Julia O'Driscoll and Leaf Arbuthnot

#356 Nikki Haley, leaseholds and the death of funerals

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 01:00:03 +0100

Has Donald Trump met his match? Will a new law help homebuyers? And why are funerals falling out of favour? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Guy Anker and Leaf Arbuthnot

#355 Butt lifts, ransoms and Argentina's right turn

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 01:00:03 +0100

Is cosmetic-surgery tourism out of control? Why did cyber criminals target the British Library? And what can Argentina expect from its new president? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Harriet Marsden and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#354 Apec, soft saving and flying taxis

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:00:03 +0100

Does Apec matter? Is 'soft saving' putting young people at risk? And will we ever hop into a flying cab? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Rebekah Evans and Rory Reid

#353 EU corruption, activist museums and the Gay Games

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 01:00:03 +0100

Why is Europe having so much trouble with corruption? Can museums change the climate? And what does Asia make of its first Gay Games? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Jessica Hullinger and Emma Smith

#352 Africa rising, ticket offices and the Spanish infanta

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 01:00:02 +0100

Is the world becoming more African? Have rail unions struck a blow against automation? How has Princess Leonor captured Spanish hearts? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Sorcha Bradley and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#351 PM strike, drink-spiking and dogs

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 04:30:02 +0100

Why did Iceland's prime minister join a picket line? Are more people having their drinks spiked? And is the world falling out of love with dogs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Julia O'Driscoll and Abdulwahab Tahhan

#350 China vs Kenya, drugs and album reviews

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 04:00:04 +0100

Is Kenya cooling on Chinese money? Why have Mexican drug gangs turned against fentanyl? And are album reviews a lost art? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Cindy Yu, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson

#349 Housing, a bank rescue and 1918

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 03:30:02 +0100

Are British homes really the worst in the developed world? How safe are our savings? And what can we learn from the Spanish flu? The Week and Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebekah Evans, Guy Anker and Holden Frith

#348 Swedish violence, John Lewis and the Sphere

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:25:02 +0100

Why is Sweden battling gang violence? Can the high-street stalwart recover? And is Las Vegas reinventing entertainment – again? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Emma Smith and Jessica Hullinger

#347 Russian rights, British class and world expos

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 03:30:02 +0100

Will Russia rejoin the UN Human Rights Council? Are we all now working class? And could the world call a halt to expos? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Rebekah Evans and Harriet Marsden

#346 Ghost tankers, loyalty cards and contempt

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 03:30:02 +0100

Should we be worried about illicit oil tankers? What are the limits to protests outside court? And are supermarket loyalty schemes all they seem? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Guy Anker and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#345 Pint pricing, climate wisdom and centrism

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 03:45:01 +0100

Should pubs charge more at peak times? What can Indigenous cultures teach the West about climate change? And are we disagreeing too agreeably? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Sorcha Bradley, Jess Hullinger and Jamie Timson

#344 National service, Bahrain and Roman Polanski

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:15:01 +0100

Should we all serve country and community? Can Bahrain and Israel be allies? And has history finally caught up with a legendary director? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Leaf Arbuthnot, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Harriet Marsden

#343 Marriage, Iron Man energy and medical laughter

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 03:20:02 +0100

Why is China offering marriage ‘rewards’? Can a metal disc improve sporting ability? And is laughter really the best medicine? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#342 Trans chess, goalkeepers and twitching

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 00:50:02 +0100

Why is women’s chess bringing in a trans ban? Why was Nike so reluctant to sell Mary Earps’s shirt? And have we become a nation of birdwatchers? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Emma Smith, Julia O’Driscoll and Harriet Marsden

#341 Age barriers, women’s drinking and edgy books

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 03:30:02 +0100

Is automation ageist? Why are women drinking more? And are some subjects off-limits for children’s books? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Cindy Yu, Jamie Timson and Rebekah Evans

#340 A new human, ME and date stacking

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 03:00:02 +0100

Does Homo sapiens have a new cousin? Are people with ME about to get better treatment? And is three dates in one day too many? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Leaf Arbuthnot and Harriet Marsden

#339 Bank warning, allergies and talking to strangers

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 03:00:00 +0100

Will life get easier for savers? Why are allergies rising? And should we talk to more people we don’t know? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Guy Anker, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Arion McNicoll

#338 Age and youth in politics, Cambodia and opera

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 02:10:02 +0100

What’s the right age for a politician? Have Cambodians given up on democracy? And has everyone given up on opera? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebekah Evans, Mariana Vieira and Arion McNicoll

#337 Cocaine, greener trees and superspeed podcasts

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 04:00:03 +0100

Why is UK drug use on the rise? Could we make trees more carbon-positive? And will you listen to this podcast on fast-forward? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Leaf Arbuthnot

#336 AI scams, entry fees and wooden buildings

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:55:01 +0100

Will artificial intelligence supercharge fraud? Should cultural landmarks charge for entry? And will we build the cities of the future from timber? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Guy Anker, Holden Frith and Sorcha Bradley

#335 Ukraine memorabilia, prostitution and Barbie

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:00:03 +0100

What should we make of the trade in Russian trophies? Will Amsterdam evict its red light district? And how did Barbie get embroiled in a border dispute? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Julia O’Driscoll and Emma Smith.

#334 Europe’s right turn, abortion and snakes

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:02 +0100

Why is the left in decline across the EU? How should the law differentiate between infanticide and abortion? And are snakes about to overrun Britain? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Arion McNicoll.

#333 EU vs. Apple, lab-made embryos and power naps

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:00:02 +0100

Will the bloc force another iPhone redesign? Why are scientists creating synthetic human embryos? And is napping the secret to better brain health? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rory Reid, Rebekah Evans and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#332 Russian spies, climate law and literary politics

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 00:00:02 +0100

Did Moscow sneak its agents into Homes for Ukraine? Why are kids suing Montana over climate change? And should novelists boycott rogue states? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Julia O’Driscoll and Jamie Timson

#331 Schoolgirl poisonings, accidental DNA and queer history

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0100

What is happening in Afghan schools? Could air pollution monitors help to track DNA? And is LGBTQ+ history joining the mainstream? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jess Hullinger and Emma Smith

#330 Streaming, postal prejudice and inside animals’ minds

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:00:02 +0100

Will a court ruling change the way we watch sport? What went wrong at the Post Office? And how do animals see the world? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Guy Anker, Leaf Arbuthnot and Arion McNicoll.

#329 Irish alcohol, world weather and British schools

Fri, 26 May 2023 00:55:01 +0100

Why is Ireland putting health warnings on drinks? Will a fall in deaths from extreme weather continue? And how should universities judge school leavers? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Holden Frith and Felicity Capon.

#328 Crypto risk, stealth wealth and the end of Vice

Fri, 19 May 2023 00:00:03 +0100

Is crypto-currency investment just another form of gambling? Why are the rich getting harder to spot? And what caused the downfall of Vice Media. Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Guy Anker, Sorcha Bradley and Mariana Vieira

#327 Erdogan’s last stand, childbirth in prison and Cleopatra

Fri, 12 May 2023 00:00:01 +0100

Could Turkey’s strongman president really lose this weekend’s election? Are we failing women who give birth in prison? And why do depictions of Cleopatra hit a racial nerve? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia O’Driscoll, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson

NB: This episode was recorded before third-party candidate Muharrem İnce withdrew from the Turkish election on Thursday afternoon. His absence is thought likely to increase the chance that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will lose.

#326 Chinese job creation, an olive crisis and private jets

Fri, 05 May 2023 00:00:02 +0100

Will Chinese graduates choose to head for the villages? Why are so many olive trees dying? And are private jets too popular for the planet’s good? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Cindy Yu, Holden Frith and Leaf Arbuthnot

#325 Argentinian lithium, airborne rights and cats

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:05:01 +0100

Is South America on the cusp of a ‘white gold’ rush? When is a ticket to ride not what it seems? And are cats really a human’s best friend? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Rory Reid and Leaf Arbuthnot

#324 Latin America, true crime drama and social links

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:02 +0100

Why are journalists under threat in so much of Latin America? Can fiction ever do justice to real-life crime stories? And what is Instagram up to? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Julia O’Driscoll and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#323 Crypto power, a Grenfell deal and Vaccine lawsuits

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 23:00:00 +0100

Will Bitcoin cost the Earth? Are victims of the Grenfell fire getting justice? And how should people be compensated for vaccine side-effects? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Guy Anker and Arion McNicoll

#322 Hostage policy, time poverty and squirrels

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:00:02 +0100

How should Britain deal with state-sponsored hostage-taking? Why do we all feel like we have less free time? And will a vaccine save red squirrels? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Arion McNicoll and Emma Smith.

#321 Reincarnation, Jack Ma and the nature of time

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 00:00:03 +0100

Who will be the next Dalai Lama? Why has China’s leading entrepreneur gone home? And will we stop fiddling with timezones? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Mariana Vieira and Julia O’Driscoll

#320 Life expectancy, Palestinians and summing up Sturgeon

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 01:00:02 +0100

Why aren’t Brits living as long as they might have hoped? Who is questioning the existence of Palestinians? And what will be the legacy of Nicola Sturgeon? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Leaf Arbuthnot, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Cindy Yu

#319 Russia vs Bali, AI upgraded and a plague of seaweed

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 01:00:02 +0100

Do Russian tourists in Bali deserve their reputation? What will Chat GPT do next? And why is sargassum causing a stink in Florida? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Rory Reid and Sorcha Bradley

#318 Weight-loss jab, Fox News and the high seas

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 01:00:02 +0100

Are weight-loss "wonder drugs" really so wonderful? Should we care if political pundits are parroting bogus claims? And why is a new high seas treaty making waves? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Arion McNicoll and Felicity Capon

Introducing: Richard Wiseman's On Your Mind

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 01:15:02 +0100

"In today's special collaboration, we're featuring an episode from the new podcast "Richard Wiseman's On Your Mind," hosted by Richard Wiseman, Britain's only professor in the Public Understanding of Psychology, and science journalist Marnie Chesterson. Together, they explore the fascinating topic of laughter, discussing why humans have evolved to laugh and the numerous benefits that laughing has on our mental and physical health. Richard also reveals details from the biggest ever scientific study into humor, where they find out what the world's funniest joke is. Unfortunately, he then tells it...

Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? They'd love to hear from you - send a text or voice message to @wisemanpod

Love what you've heard? Follow the show now to get more episodes:

https://link.chtbl.com/X6JYGUy1?sis=FStwu

CREDITS
Presented by Professor Richard Wiseman and Marnie Chesterton
Produced by Kate White
Executive Producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White
Executive Producers for TellTale: Rami Tzabar & Jago Lee
Music: For My Friend / Daniel Fridell & Sven Lindvall / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Mixed by Knights Audio"

#317 Connectivity costs, Syrian diplomacy and French football

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 01:00:01 +0100

Why are broadband customers facing hefty price hikes? Are Arab nations about to re-engage with Syria? And what's going on with the French women's football team? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Guy Anker and Emma Smith

#316 Korean succession, terror by algorithm and German disquiet

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 01:00:02 +0100

Could a 10-year-old girl rule North Korea? Will an Isis victim upend web law? And why is Germany upset with its Oscars contender? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Sorcha Bradley, Jamie Timson and Arion McNicoll

#315 The male pill, consultants and a green trade war

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 01:45:01 +0100

Will men finally get an oral contraceptive? Is the government using too many consultants? And why are the US and EU at loggerheads over green tech? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Leaf Arbuthnot and Cindy Yu

#314 Chinese chips, the Pope in Africa and podcasting

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 01:10:01 +0100

Is China losing the microchip war? What is the Vatican doing in South Sudan? And has the podcast tide turned? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rory Reid, Mariana Vieira and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#313 Presidential secrets, stolen art and a new Barbie

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 01:20:01 +0100

Why are US presidents in trouble with the National Archives? Is art confiscated by the Nazis heading back to its rightful owners? And will a doll with a back brace break down barriers? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Julia O’Driscoll and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#312 Sex and health, the Earth’s core and another new year

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 01:00:02 +0100

Is the NHS failing British women? What’s going on at the centre of our planet? And what’s in a date? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Leaf Arbuthnot, Holden Frith and Abdulwahab Tahhan

#311 Antisocial Saudis, hormone therapy and retro tech

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 01:00:01 +0100

Why is Saudi Arabia investing in – and banning – social networks? Will new research make life easier for trans women? And is the future of technology dumb? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Emma Smith and Jess Hullinger

#310 AI in court, Germans in Taiwan and ghostwriters

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 01:30:02 +0100

Could artificial intelligence replace lawyers? What does Taiwan want from Germany? And are ghostwriters becoming less ghostly? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Mariana Vieira and Kate Samuelson

#309 Millennial politics, Japanese payments and Swedish wolves

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 10:08:30 +0100

Are today’s young voters staying leftier for longer? Will cash incentives get people to leave Tokyo? And why are endangered wolves facing a cull? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia O’Driscoll, Arion McNicoll and Suchandrika Chakrabarti.

The Year Unwrapped: Aegean wargames, white refugees and why gossip matters

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 01:00:01 +0100

Are Greece and Turkey spoiling for a fight? Does skin colour determine how we view asylum seekers? And is gossip good for us? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 365 days. With Julia Macfarlane, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Jamie Timson

#308 Factories, drug money and scanners

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 01:30:02 +0100

Will a UK lawsuit lead to better working conditions in Thailand? Could a new way of funding antibiotics help tackle resistance? And is airline security about to change for the better? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia O’Driscoll, Holden Frith and Rory Reid

#307 Tracking apps, BTS and stay-at-home girlfriends

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Does China’s U-turn mark the end of Covid-tracking apps? Has South Korean pop passed its peak? And are we really seeing the rise of the stay-at-home girlfriend? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Leaf Arbuthnot, Arion McNicoll and Sorcha Bradley

#306 Mortgages, noise complaints and fake films

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Is the home loan market recovering? Will urban residents put an end to night life? And what does Goncharov tell us about social media now? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Guy Anker and Emma Smith

#305 Financial class, zombie viruses and drugged monks

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 01:00:00 +0100

Does the City have a diversity problem? Should we let sleeping pathogens lie? And why are Thailand’s monks on meth? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Jamie Timson and Mariana Vieira

#304 Trump’s trial, Ukraine’s art and extra extra time

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Will the Trump Organization’s tax affairs bring down its owner? Why is Russia ransacking Ukrainian art galleries? And why are this year’s World Cup games so long? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Julia Macfarlane and Emma Smith

#303 Teen recluses, Egypt and tattoos

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Are teenagers retreating from the real world? What’s going on in Egypt? And have tattoos leapt into the mainstream? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Kate Samuelson

#302 Localism, forest fights and face-scanning

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 01:05:01 +0100

Should MPs represent the place they’re from? Why are Welsh farmers upset about reforesting? And should we fear online facial recognition? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Julia O’Driscoll and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#301 Africa alert, ticket touts and the words of the year

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Is South Africa at risk of terrorist attacks? Why are ticket touts in such high demand? And are we really in a “permacrisis”? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Arion McNicoll and Leaf Arbuthnot

#300 Synthetic fuel, Myanmar and an energy rebate

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 07:25:01 +0100

Could fuels made from CO2 and hydrogen end our dependence on oil? What’s happening in Myanmar? And will energy companies pay us to use less power? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rory Reid, Julia Macfarlane and Guy Anker

#299 Used goods, rugby at risk and global cheats

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 00:00:02 +0100

Are we falling in love with second-hand goods? Will rugby union survive its latest crisis? And why are cheats prospering in chess, fishing and Irish dancing? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Emma Smith and Jamie Timson

#298 Saudi feud, a snap election and taxing burps

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 00:10:01 +0100

Will Joe Biden really punish Saudi Arabia? Why is Malaysia going to the polls? And can New Zealand use taxes to cut bovine emissions? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Julia Macfarlane and Sorcha Bradley

#297 Polls, language tests and Danish royals

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 23:39:46 +0100

Do opinion polls hinder our national debate? What’s the best way to test language skills? And how did the Queen of Denmark upset her grandchildren? 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

#296 Cardinal charges, bee vaccines and mealtimes

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 05:21:00 +0100

Why has China put a 90-year-old priest on trial? Will a new vaccine stem declining bee numbers? And why has New York embraced the early dinner? 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 Arion McNicoll

#295 Iranian protests, podcast crimes and silences

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 00:00:03 +0100

Will Iran’s ‘morality police’ have to change their ways? Have crime-solving podcasts proved their worth? And have moments of silence had their day? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Kate Samuelson and Emma Smith

#294 Policing, Sweden’s far-right and ‘passkeys’

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 00:10:00 +0100

Can the Metropolitan Police’s new commissioner fix the force’s problems? Why has Sweden swung to the political right? And are passwords set to become obsolete? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Arion McNicoll and Julia O’Driscoll

#293 Algerian English, dark tourism and two-headed beasts

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:54:20 +0100

Why is Algeria dropping the French language? Should we be holidaying in Ukraine? And how do some animals survive with two heads? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieira, Kari Wilkin and Leaf Arbuthnot. This episode was recorded before the announcement of The Queen’s death

#292 Lost tribes, celebration shaming and Edinburgh blues

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Was “the Man of the Hole” the last of his kind? Are footballers over-celebrating? And is Edinburgh feeling less festive? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Guy Anker and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

The Moscow-Washington Hotline

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 07:33:37 +0100

Start your Tuesday morning with The Retrospectors - Olly & Arion's daily history show - which we present to you here in its full, ten minute glory. Today's episode focuses on the hotline from Moscow to Washington.

On 30th August, 1963, a 10,000 mile transatlantic Washington-Moscow cable went live from the Pentagon to Red Square.

In the public imagination (in part thanks to Kubrik’s ‘Dr Strangelove’), it remains a red telephone - but it is, in fact, a pair of beige teletype machines that each required ten staff to operate.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca Messina (yes, that's Gillie to long-time Unwrappers) and Olly explain why, prior to this, diplomacy was often being skipped altogether in favour of inflammatory radio broadcasts; consider what the messages the two nations send each other can tell us about their cultural differences; and marvel at just how much geopolitics hinges on whether two particular world leaders like each other…

Listen to The Retrospectors - Today In History every weekday at podfollow.com/retrospectors

#291 Insanity pleas, Korean Danes and doppelgangers

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 00:00:03 +0100

How much violence can be explained by mental illness? Why were South Korean children sent to Denmark? And have you met your lookalike? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Julia O’Driscoll and Leaf Arbuthnot

#290 Chinese protests, supersonic jets and university cheats

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Will mortgage strikes force China to change course? Does Concorde finally have a worthy successor? And what’s behind a rise in cheating? 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 Kate Samuelson

#289 Russian visas, Arab fattism and quiet quitting

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 00:10:02 +0100

Is Finland an unwilling backdoor to Europe? Has fat-shaming reached the Middle East? And are young workers really slacking off? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Cindy Yu, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Leaf Arbuthnot

#288 Immunity, Tunisia and Big Brother

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 00:00:02 +0100

Will a drug called Evusheld cut Covid deaths still further? Is the Arab Spring over? And are we ready for the return of reality TV? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Tom Chivers, Arion McNicoll and Sorcha Bradley

#287 Nigerian gas, female exercise and a new Saudi city

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 23:05:02 +0100

Could Nigeria step in to fill the Russian energy gap? Why are British women reluctant to get fit? And what can we expect from a solar-powered city in the desert? Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, delves behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days. With Mariana Vieri, Kate Samuelson and Abdulwahab Tahhan

#286 Headers, savings and costly chips

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 23:00:02 +0100

Is the FA phasing out headers? Do rising interest rates offer a glimmer of hope to savers? And how will fish and chip shops cope with a poor potato harvest? Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, delves behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Guy Anker and Suchandrika Chakrabarti.

#285 Massage apps, social media copyright and eradicating a tropical disease

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 23:00:02 +0100

Are home massage services putting users at risk? Is YouTube’s copyright claim system fit for purpose? And how has the world succeeded in almost completely eradicating a tropical disease? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Tom Chivers, Leaf Arbuthnot and Emma Smith

Introducing: The Overview

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 14:21:19 +0100

The Week’s new podcast explores the past, present and future of an idea in the news with insights from specialist experts.
As the world races to decarbonise, nuclear power is being touted as an essential energy source. But safety fears remain, along with claims that nuclear reactors are too expensive and too slow to build. So just what would it take to win over the nuclear sceptics? This is The Overview.
Presented by Julia O'Driscoll, with guests Richard Rhodes, author of The Making of the Atomic Bomb, and Douglas Parr, chief scientist and policy director at Greenpeace UK. Thanks to The Week's Kari Wilkin. Music and Sound Design by Rich Jarman. Produced by Rich Jarman.
Follow The Overview wherever you get your podcasts.

#284 Twitter vs India, digital amnesia and sleepless nights

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Why is the Indian government suppressing social media? Have we given up using our memories? And why are so few of us getting a good night’s sleep? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Cindy Yu, Sorcha Bradley and Arion McNicoll

#283 Trans sport, fragrant friends and lost data

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Can women’s sport be both fair and inclusive? Do we choose friends based on how they smell? And is Big Data putting us at risk of big losses? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Emma Smith, Kate Samuelson and Abdulwahab Tahhan

#282 Immunotherapy, unions and a house revival

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 23:00:00 +0100

Can our immune systems help us fight cancer? Have unions finally cracked the tech sector? And is 90s house music making a comeback?

#281 DNA theft, an energy puzzle and news refuseniks

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 23:00:02 +0100

Should we take steps to guard our genetic security? Is wind power overpriced? And why are so many of us turning off the news? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Tom Chivers and Kate Samuelson

#280 Alcohol pricing, #JordanToo and coastal retreat

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 23:00:02 +0100

Has Scotland’s minimum drink price failed? Has Jordan reached a tipping point for women’s rights? And will seaside towns be abandoned to the waves? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#279 Gambling, flying and a cinematic comeback

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 23:15:00 +0100

Why are strict new gambling laws in doubt? Can activists justify flying to an environmental conference? And is Top Gun: Maverick leading a revival of film? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Julia O’Driscoll and Emma Smith

#278 Quitting China, social age checks and dental deserts

Thu, 26 May 2022 23:00:02 +0100

Why has AirBnB given up on China? Are social networks finally taking age limits seriously? And why is it so hard to find a dentist? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Cindy Yu, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Sorcha Bradley

#277 SIDS, Tasers and Alabaman rights

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Are we closer to understanding sudden infant death syndrome? Has a Trump-appointed judge given a glimmer of hope to trans Americans? And are too many British police officers about to get Tasers? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Tom Chivers, Kate Samuelson and Emma Smith

#276 Polygamy, fish protests and tipping

Fri, 13 May 2022 00:00:02 +0100

Why is India changing its marriage laws? What led French and British fishermen to join forces? And who really benefits from the tips we leave? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Arion McNicoll and Holden Frith

#275 Home-working pay cuts, Taiwan and Cinderella

Fri, 06 May 2022 00:30:02 +0100

Should people who work from home earn 20% less? Is Taiwan at risk of a Chinese invasion? And what does the failure of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest production tell us about post-Covid theatre? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Leaf Arbuthnot, Joe Evans and Julia O’Driscoll

#274 Liberal democracy, medical sexism and football integrity

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0100

What does an election in Slovenia tell us about populism in Europe? Why is the government appointing a HRT tsar? And is it too late to save the nation's favourite game? The Week and Olly Mann delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kari Wilkin, Arion McNicoll and Emma Smith.

#273 Terrorist threats, space debris and natural history

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 00:00:02 +0100

Why has Islamic State launched a new global offensive? Is the US right to ban anti-satellite missile tests? And does the UK need a natural history GCSE? The Week and Olly Mann delve behind the headlines and debate what really matter from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Kate Samuelson and Alok Jha.

#272 Schools, births and children’s appetites

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 00:10:02 +0100

Do private schools make pupils happier? Is the NHS still failing British mothers? And when do we learn to be carnivores? The Week and Arion McNicoll, sitting in for Olly, delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Leaf Arbuthnot and Sorcha Bradley

#271 Sri Lanka, second homes and Siri

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Is Sri Lanka’s latest crisis a warning for the rest of the world? Are second-home owners facing a revolt in Cornwall? And why do most digital assistants have women’s voices? The Week and Arion McNicoll, sitting in for Olly, delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Julia O’Driscoll and Kate Samuelson

#270 Afghanistan, Florida and Northern Ireland

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Can the World Bank set the Taliban straight? Why is Florida saying ‘don’t say gay’? And what can we learn from the last trials of the Troubles? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Emma Smith and Theo Tait

#269 Happiness, Child Q and school uniforms

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 01:00:00 +0100

What makes a country happy? Why are the police strip-searching children? And do school uniforms have a future? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Leaf Arbuthnot and Sorcha Bradley

#268 Wheels, Russian losses and speaking pigs

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 01:05:02 +0100

What makes a social media post go viral? What does the war in Ukraine mean for our pensions? And can an algorithm understand a pig’s emotions? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Merryn Somerset Webb, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Alok Jha.

#267 Far-right spying, sport sanctions and petrol poison

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Why is Germany spying on an elected political party? Is football finally waking up to sportwashing? And has lead made us all less intelligent? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Felicity Capon and Emma Smith.

#266 Birds, podcasts and nostalgia

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 01:00:00 +0100

Why did a flock of blackbirds plunge to their death? Are big-money deals changing the podcast landscape? And can nostalgia alleviate physical pain? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Kate Samuelson and Arion McNicoll

#265 Medals, lizards and vibe shifts

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 01:00:03 +0100

Why did a US-born athlete choose to compete for China? How do lizards shed their tales? And are we ready for a vibe shift? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Alok Jha, Theo Tait and Abdulwahab Tahhan

#264 Truckers, sewage and Friends in China

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 01:00:03 +0100

Why has Canada declared a national emergency? What can we do to clean up Britain’s rivers? And what did Ross and Rachel do to upset Beijing? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Leaf Arbuthnot and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#263 Football violence, military trauma and the year of the potato

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Why are hooligans back in the headlines? Are our soldiers being failed by their employer? And is the humble potato the next superfood? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Emma Smith, Joe Evans and Kate Samuelson

#262 French symbols, pay rises and spring

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 01:00:03 +0100

Is France about to take an illiberal turn? Is it a bad thing if we all earn more? And is winter coming to a premature end? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 12 months. With Felicity Capon, John Stepek and Sorcha Bradley

#261 religious tolerance, trans treatment and police misogyny

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Is the Arab world re-embracing its Jews? Are the rights of LGBTQ+ people under threat? And do the police have a misogyny problem?

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Theo Tait, Emma Smith and Arion McNicoll.

Eddie Thomas' GoFund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-eddie-raise-money-for-hrt?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unknown&utm_campaign=comms_cq5n+help-eddie-raise-money-for-hrt

#260 Shareholder power, Serbian threats and Anglican anxiety

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Do investors (including anyone with a pension) have more power than they realise? Is Bosnia on the verge of breaking up? And how will the next Archbishop of Canterbury be chosen? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With John Stepek, Joe Evans and Leaf Arbuthnot

#259 Pig hearts, student feedback and own goals

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 01:00:02 +0100

Should we be breeding more porcine organ donors? Will students lose the right to rate their university lecturers? And will football ever really come home again? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Emma Smith.

#258 Seeing stars, prescribing comedy and decriminalising drugs

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 01:30:02 +0100

What will the James Webb Telescope accomplish? Why is the NHS sending people to comedy courses? And are drugs laws about to change in the British capital? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Alok Jha, Kate Samuelson and Sorcha Bradley

The Year Unwrapped: Police, population and antisocial media

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 01:00:02 +0100

Has the US given up on policing the world? Should we worry about a falling population? And is social media really a threat to democracy? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 12 months. With Joe Evans, Arion McNicoll and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#256 Lost citizenship, wasted jabs and alarming doorbells

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 01:00:02 +0100

Are some British citizens more equal than others? Why are governments throwing away Covid vaccines? And will even our doorbells turn against us? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Holden Frith and Kate Samuelson.

#255 Child soldiers, pandemic pay and techno heritage

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 01:00:02 +0100

Why has the pandemic caused child soldier numbers to swell? How do you solve a problem like the gender pay gap? And does Berlin’s techno scene warrant world heritage status? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters. With Arion McNicoll, Sorcha Bradley and Julia O’Driscoll.

Investments Unwrapped: Watches that stand the test of time

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 01:00:00 +0100

A bonus podcast series brought to you by MoneyWeek and The Platinum Card from American Express. In the final episode, Olly Mann talks to John Stepek, executive editor of MoneyWeek, and Silas Walton, founder of luxury marketplace A Collected Man, about investing in watches

#255 Crypto-positivity, Barbados and a 3D-printed eye

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 01:00:02 +0100

Why is Thailand betting big on crypto-currency? Will Barbados benefit from being a republic? And what can we expect from the next generation of prosthetics? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With John Stepek, Arion McNicoll and Alok Jha.

#254 Elk arrests, bootleg gas and self-curing HIV

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 01:00:02 +0100

Will a dead moose bring down a Russian opposition leader? Who is smuggling refrigerants into the UK? And how did an Argentinian woman rid herself of HIV? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Holden Frith and Alok Jha.

Investments Unwrapped: The classic car market

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 01:00:00 +0100

A bonus podcast series brought to you by MoneyWeek and The Platinum Card from American Express. In episode four, Olly Mann talks to John Stepek, executive editor of MoneyWeek, and Ashley Winston of Palmdale Motors about the cars that might put you on the road to riches.

#253 Real-life Succession, Iranian football and China’s #MeToo moment

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 01:05:03 +0100

Do we need a new model for business leaders? How has Jordan’s football team reignited the gender debate? And has China silenced an Olympian? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Kate Samuelson

#252 The VP, GPs and refugees

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 01:00:16 +0100

Why are Kamala Harris' approval ratings in freefall? Should the government be able to tell doctors where to work? And why have bananas got Syrian refugees in trouble in Turkey? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Julia O'Driscoll & Abdulwahab Tahan.

Investments Unwrapped: A buyer’s guide to furniture

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 01:00:16 +0100

Olly Mann talks to John Stepek, executive editor of MoneyWeek, and antique furniture expert James Kaye about how to end up sitting on a nest egg. A bonus podcast series brought to you by MoneyWeek and The Platinum Card from American Express.

#251 Political insults, gig academics and dating doubts

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 01:00:00 +0100

Do we have the right to be rude to MPs? Why are university lecturers living in poverty? And is online dating failing to deliver? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kari Wilkin, Theo Tait and Arion McNicoll

#250 Martial lawlessness, asteroid action and statue sparring

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 00:00:10 +0100

Should the culture of the British army face greater scrutiny? Can Nasa deflect asteroids away from earth? And should London's statues be made more diverse? Guest host Arion McNicoll and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia O'Driscoll, Alok Jha and Suchandrika Chakrabarti.

Investments Unwrapped: Which wines hold their value?

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:00:13 +0100

A bonus podcast series brought to you by MoneyWeek and The Platinum Card from American Express. In episode one, Olly Mann talks to John Stepek, executive editor of MoneyWeek, and Justin Gibbs of the fine wine market Liv-ex about the bottles you would never want to uncork.

#249 Mortgage penalties, waste and femcels

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:14 +0100

Should mortgages cost more for inefficient homes? Can companies be shamed into cutting wasted stock? And has the incel movement spread to women? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With John Stepek, Julia O’Driscoll and Kate Samuelson

#248 Exiles, revolting prisoners and sporting health

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 00:00:05 +0100

Will Syrian criminals be allowed home? How did an American prison fall into the hands of inmates? And why are sports stars struggling with their mental health? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Sorcha Bradley and Arion McNicoll

Investments Unwrapped: What makes a book collectable?

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 00:00:04 +0100

A bonus podcast series brought to you by MoneyWeek and The Platinum Card from American Express. In episode one, Olly Mann talks to John Stepek, executive editor of MoneyWeek, and world-leading antiquarian book dealer Pom Harrington about what makes a book valuable.

#247 Dead ships, film strikes and pandemic travel

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Why is the UN worried about a supertanker in Yemen? Will strikes cause a streaming video shortage? And what next for the ‘zero-Covid’ success stories? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Jess Hullinger and Holden Frith

#246 Gene editing, joke theft and manifesting

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 00:00:14 +0100

Are we on the verge of a new agricultural revolution? Why are comedians going to court? And what on earth is manifesting? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With John Stepek, Arion McNicoll and Felicity Capon

#245 Clinical injustice, wireless power and pandas

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 00:00:12 +0100

Why do so many clinical trials exclude women? Will we soon be free of power cables? And is panda fertility finally on the rise? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kari Wilkin, Holden Frith and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#244 tech tiffs, shipping shortages and mammoth science projects

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 00:00:07 +0100

Why has Elizabeth Holmes’ court case divided opinion? What is causing Ikea’s delivery tailbacks? And could wooly mammoths roam the earth again? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters? Sorcha Bradley, Arion McNicholl and Julia O'Driscoll.

#243 Alien soil, cookies and long dogs

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 00:00:11 +0100

Why does Nasa want to bring Martian soil samples back to Earth? Will cookie warnings soon be a thing of the past? And dachshunds getting too cute for their own good? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Alok Jha, Theo Tait and Kate Samuelson

#242 Germany’s left turn, glass shortages and a gaming ban

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 00:00:18 +0100

Are German voters turning away from Angela Merkel and the centre-right? What’s really causing an NHS test tube shortage? And why is China banning games on school nights? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Jess Hullinger and Abdulwahab Tahhan

#241 Plague jabs, Havana syndrome and meat-free Mondays

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 00:00:03 +0100

Will a new vaccine finally banish the Black Death? Why are US diplomats falling ill all over the world? And is flexitarianism a step to permanent change? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Felicity Capon and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#240 Pensions, elephants and middle-class drugs

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Why is the government changing pension rules? How did a herd of elephants cross China? And will well-heeled drug users be named and shamed? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With John Stepek, Julia O’Driscoll and Tomiwa Owolade

#239 Mercenaries, climate angst and the right to repair

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 00:00:12 +0100

What are Russian soldiers doing in Libya? Are doom-laden climate headlines bad for our mental health? And are DIY gadget fixers about to get a break? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahan, Sorcha Bradley and Arion McNicoll

#238 Pay cheques, sporting pressure and ancient plants

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:00:03 +0100

Should we all know what our colleagues are paid? How will Olympic athletes cope with social media scrutiny? And could a strange desert plant unlock human longevity? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kate Samuelson, Alok Jha and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Summer sale: Get your first 6 issues of The Week magazine absolutely free, along with a stylish picnic blanket. To start your free trial go to theweek.co.uk/offer now and enter the promo code SUMMER

#237 Flash floods, Tunisian turmoil and rich racing

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 00:00:10 +0100

Are cities ready for a rise in extreme weather? Why has Tunisia’s president sacked the prime minister? And is the ‘most expensive race on earth’ worth the cash? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Abdulwahab Tahhan.

#236 Health data, green banking and flawed maps

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 00:00:08 +0100

How will we deal with knowing so much more about our health? Should central banks seek to fight climate change? And is Google Maps leading us astray? Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kari Wilkin, John Stepek and Holden Frith

#235 Cuba, friendship and office dogs

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0100

What’s behind the latest Cuban protests? Can dating apps help us make friends? And should we welcome animals at work? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Tomiwa Owolade, Arion McNicoll and Jess Hullinger

#234 Swimming caps, strict schools and four-day weeks

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 00:00:09 +0100

Is a ban on “Afro caps” a blow to sporting diversity? Do more rules make for a better education? And will Covid boost calls for a four-day working week? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kate Samuelson, Sorcha Bradley and Theo Tait

#233 Hazardous heat, nuclear fusion and divisive dieting

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 00:00:18 +0100

What does a Pakistani city hitting temperatures too hot for the human body tell us about climate change? Could a new nuclear project provide a breakthrough in clean energy? And is a ‘medieval’ dieting device really so controversial? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Julia O’Driscoll and Alok Jha.

#232 Kibbutzniks, quitters and Britishness

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 00:00:08 +0100

What does a row about a kibbutz say about modern Israel? Are record numbers of people about to give up their jobs? And why can’t we work out how to celebrate Britishness? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Theo Tait and Arion McNicoll

#231 Ethiopia, passwords and a plague of mice

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 00:00:20 +0100

Is the Ethiopian PM a hero or villain? Should the police have power over our passwords? And why are mice multiplying like rabbits in Australia? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Tomiwa Owolade, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Felicity Capon

#230 Pride flags, Denmark and animal magic

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 00:00:19 +0100

Why won’t the Pentagon fly the flag for gay pride? What led Denmark to deport Syrian refugees? And how do birds see through magicians’ tricks? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia O’Driscoll, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Alok Jha
Father’s Day offer: visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter the promo code DAD by 21 June for a free pair of luxury socks from the London Sock Company

#229 Fuel protest, Danish spying and living to 150

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:00:13 +0100

How are oil shareholders changing the climate debate? Is Copenhagen a US stooge? And could we really double human lifespans? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With John Stepek, Joe Evans and Sorcha Bradley

#228 Fashion for rent, euthanasia and a chip shortage

Fri, 28 May 2021 00:00:14 +0100

Will we start borrowing clothes instead of buying them? Why has the world’s supply of microchips dried up? And has the tide turned on assisted dying? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Theo Tait and Kate Samuelson
Sign up for your free trial by Monday and you’ll get a free coffee table book, The Art of The Week, as well as your first six issues of the magazine free. The Art of the Week contains more than 250 sketches and paintings by our cover artist Howard McWilliam, spanning more than 30 years of political coverage. Visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter code HOLIDAY

#227 Toxins, abortions and rectal breathing

Fri, 21 May 2021 00:00:05 +0100

What should we know about ‘forever chemicals’? Are abortion rights at risk in Northern Ireland? And can we breathe through our bottoms? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jess Hullinger, Felicity Capon and Alok Jha

#226 France in revolt, junior networks and digital emotions

Fri, 14 May 2021 00:00:13 +0100

Why are French soldiers up in arms? Is Instagram the right place for children? And can computers recognise emotions? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Sorcha Bradley and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#225 Psychedelics, peacekeeping and office productivity

Fri, 07 May 2021 00:00:08 +0100

Could hallucinogenics replace antidepressants? How can peacekeepers be more effective? And what can Google tell us about the post-pandemic workplace? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kari Wilkin, Arion McNicoll and Holden Frith

#224 Catfishing, malaria and timelessness

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 00:00:04 +0100

Why are dating scams on the rise? Have scientists made a breakthrough in the battle against malaria? And can humans live without a sense of time? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Theo Tait, Arion McNicoll and Alok Jha.

To get six free issues of The Week magazine and then a 57% discount on your subscription visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter the promo code: SPRING

#223 Greens, investments and space privateers

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 00:00:11 +0100

Are the world's environmentalists about to take power? Is financial advice getting cheaper? And why are private citizens leading the space race? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kari Wilkin, John Stepek and Sorcha Bradley

To get six free issues of The Week magazine and and then a 57% discount on your subscription visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: SPRING

#222 Human rights, Russian troops and rude town names

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Are human rights going backwards? Is Russia squaring up to Ukraine again? And can a town’s name be too vulgar? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Tomiwa Owolade

#221 Rare earths, Jordan and dishonour

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 00:00:14 +0100

What has Greenland’s general election got to do with China? Why has Jordan’s royal family split? And who has been stripped of their honours in secret? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Sorcha Bradley

#220 Votes, Cuban vaccines and empty churches

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Are the Democrats falling into the hypocrisy trap? How did Cuba develop such a strong biotech industry? And will anything reverse religious decline? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Joe Evans and Arion McNicoll

#219 Scams, shares and male skirts

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 01:00:19 +0100

Why has Covid caused a surge in scams? What’s got into the world’s stock markets? And will men really start wearing skirts? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, John Stepek and Sorcha Bradley

#218 Ireland, Wombo and laser vision

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 01:00:12 +0100

Is the Good Friday Agreement unravelling? How much of a threat are AI deepfakes? And can we really now see round corners? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Kari Wilkin and Alok Jha

Business Unwrapped: Navigating China

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 01:00:02 +0100

China represents a huge and growing market for technology companies - but one which presents unique challenges. In the last of three special episodes, we discuss the ethical questions for British companies working in China. With Olly Mann, Holden Frith and guest expert James McGregor of APCO Worldwide

#217 Nuclear testing, flat-hunting and the other megxit

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 01:00:02 +0100

Why are we only now learning about France’s atomic legacy? Are social networking about to change the property market. And why are so many migrants leaving the UK? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Theo Tait.

To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a free thermal mug visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: POD21

Business Unwrapped : China’s legal system

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 01:00:02 +0100

China represents a huge and growing market for technology companies - but one which presents unique challenges. In the second of three special episodes, we discuss the legal questions for British companies working in China. With Olly Mann, Joe Evans and guest expert Mark Schaub, international partner at law firm King & Wood Mallesons

#216 Missiles, ransoms and awe

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 01:00:00 +0100

Does the US still need ballistic missiles? Why is Boko Haram releasing schoolgirl hostages? And do we need to experience more awe? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Tomiwa Owolade and Jess Hullinger

Business Unwrapped: China’s culture and customs

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 01:00:19 +0100

China represents a huge and growing market for technology companies - but one which presents unique challenges. In a three-part special, we discuss the cultural, legal and ethical questions for British companies working in China. With Olly Mann, Kari Wilkin and guest expert Tom Simpson of the China-Britain Business Council.

#215 Carbon apps, super shoes and VR art

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 01:00:15 +0100

Can phones measure our carbon footprint? Is tech more important than sporting talent? And could we turn our homes into virtual art galleries? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With John Stepek, Arion McNicoll and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

#214 New news, equality in space and small talk

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 01:00:00 +0100

Will new TV news channels threaten impartiality? Is space the final frontier for disability? And do we really need lessons in chit-chat? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Kieran Yates and Arion McNicoll

#213 Martial monks, high living and Turks in space

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 01:00:11 +0100

What links monks and Myanmar’s military? Are we past peak skyscraper? And why is Turkey joining the space race? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Jess Hullinger and Adulwahab Tahhan

#212 Snake robots, farm protests and pet food

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 07:14:20 +0100

What can we learn from the skin of sidewinders? Why are farmers descending on Delhi? And would your cat eat lab-grown mouse protein? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Felicity Capon and Alok Jha

#211 Australia, Egypt and the British Virgin Islands

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 01:00:06 +0100

Are the BVIs as corrupt as their former governor claims? Is Egypt any closer to democracy? And will the sun set on Australia Day? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Joe Evans, Abdul Tahhan and Arion McNicoll

#210 Forced labour, virtual bailiffs and Cumbrian coal

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 01:00:19 +0100

Are British companies doing enough about modern slavery? How can we regulate digital repossessions? And why are we still opening new coal mines? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Kari Wilkin, Kieran Yates and Theo Tait

#209 Parks, mindful robots and selfish vaccines

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 01:00:19 +0100

Will offices give way to green spaces? Are robots on the verge of mastering empathy? And what’s gone wrong with the EU’s vaccine plan? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Holden Frith and Joe Evans.

#208 #PakistanToo, Jack Ma and printing money

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 01:00:15 +0100

How is the Me Too movement evolving as it spreads? Why is China going after its best-known businessman? And what are the consequences of quantitative easing? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Tomiwa Owolade and John Stepek.

The Year Unwrapped: Safety, Kenya and Marx reborn

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 01:00:15 +0100

Would we rather be safe than free? Is Kenya finally realising its potential? And is Generation Z really dabbling with Marxism? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Joe Evans and Kieran Yates

#207 Sporting peril, boycotting France and farming tomorrow

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 01:00:15 +0100

Will rugby survive a concussion crisis? Why are French goods being recalled across the Arab world? And what’s happening down on the farm? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Abdul Tahhan and Kari Wilkin

#206 Cut-price music, Brexit fur and a presidential trio

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 01:00:06 +0100

Why don’t artists make more money from streamed music? Will Britain ban fur after Brexit? And why did Peru get through three presidents in a week? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days - with Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Kari Wilkin and Holden Frith revealing all

#205 Jared’s mission, puberty and a telescopic loss

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 01:00:11 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What is Jared Kushner up to in the Middle East? How will a new court ruling affect young trans people? And why has one of the world’s great telescopes been left to rot? Gabriel Power, Joe Evans and Alok Jha reveal all.

#204 Social epilepsy, hydrogen and a retail boom

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 01:00:10 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will retail sales continue their surprising growth? Should social media companies clamp down on flashing images? And why are German railways turning to hydrogen. Merryn Somerset-Webb, Kieran Yates and Holden Frith reveal all

#203 Pacific trade, tracking and Europe’s gay paradox

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 01:00:23 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Can a 15-nation trade deal unite the Pacific rim? Is Covid making us too willing to hand over data? And why are gay rights under attack even as public acceptance grows? John Stepek, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Gabriel Power reveal all

#202 Viral faith, Armenia and legendary prejudice

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:00:15 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is religion helping to spread the pandemic? What led to fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan? And are legends and fairytales inevitably non-PC? And how can meditation help the armed forces? Abdul Tahhan, Joe Evans and Felicity Capon reveal all

#201 Afghanistan, the Mafia and military mindfulness

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 01:00:08 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What can we learn from an attack on Kabul university? Why is the Italian Mafia leading anti-lockdown protests? And how can meditation help the armed forces? Tomiwa Owolade, Joe Evans and Kari Wilkin reveal all

#200 TikTok tills, crypto banks and green cash

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 01:00:21 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are instant social purchases too easy for our own good? Is Bitcoin entering the mainstream? And can David Attenborough get us to invest in the environment? Suchandrika Chakrabarti, John Stepek and Holden Frith reveal all

#199 Google wars, passports and Wuhan tours

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 00:00:17 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should courts break up Google’s monopoly? Why do some countries sell citizenship? And would you visit Covid’s ground zero on holiday? Theo Tait, Joe Evans and Kieran Yates reveal all

#198 German gender, Insta-unions and the Moon

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 00:00:10 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Can German pronouns redress a gender imbalance. Should social media celebrities unionise? And are we seeing the start of a new space race? John Stepek, Felicity Capon and Kieran Yates reveal all

#197 Banksy, intervention and refugee art

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 00:00:18 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Banksy undermined by the price of his art? Could ‘active bystanders’ help stop police violence? And are Syrians well served by a theatrical protest? Holden Frith, Kari Wilkin and Abdul Tahhan reveal all

#196 Green China, shameless states and virtual politics

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:21 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will China save us from climate change? Are modern leaders immune to shame? And what can we learn from online party conferences? Joe Evans, Gabriel Power and Suchandrika Chakrabarti reveal all

#194 Pregnancy pains, green investment and killer spies

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 00:00:13 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should doctors monitor expectant mother's alcohol intake? Are electric cars the next investment bubble? And should British spies have a "licence to kill"?

#193 Sporting genes, Colombia and orcas

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:00:16 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What does Caster Semenya’s latest court defeat reveal about gender? Is Colombia slipping back into conflict? And why are killer whales turning against us? Felicity Capon, Gabriel Power and Holden Frith reveal all

#192 Border tensions, office spirituality and Fed inflation

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 00:00:11 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will border tensions between China and India trigger the next geopolitical fall out? Does your workplace need spiritual guidance? And will the Federal Reserve's new inflation plan boost employment? Jessica Hullinger, Joe Evans and John Stepek reveal all

#191 Singing dogs, African plastic and Covid tech

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:00:06 +0100

Where have New Guinea’s mystery canines been hiding? Is Africa being targeted by Big Plastic? And what will coronavirus do to gadget sales? Theo Tait, Kari Wilkin and Jess Hullinger reveal all

SPECIAL OFFER: Claim six free issues of The Week - and a free Moleskin notebook - by going to theweek.co.uk/offer and entering the promo code POD25

#190 Polio, virtual armies and corporate nomads

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:14 +0100

What can we learn from a victory against polio? Why is the MoD building a virtual copy of Britain? And will we all end up working from Bermuda? Gabriel Power, Holden Frith and Joe Evans reveal all.

Business Unwrapped: fresh start

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 00:00:03 +0100

How the coronavirus crisis and our response to it could change business for the better. Olly Mann and The Week’s Joe Evans are joined by guest expert Dr Yvette Ankrah MBE, a transformational business coach

#189 Renaming authors, Thai protests and galaxies far, far away

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 08:31:54 +0100

Should George Elliot now be called Mary Ann Evans? Why are thousands of young people openly protesting the Thai monarchy? What can our twin galaxy tell us about our origins? Felicity Capon, Joe Evans and Gabriel Power reveal all.

Business Unwrapped: clean growth

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:05 +0100

How a new breed of battery will help to power a lower-emission economy. Olly Mann and The Week’s Holden Frith are joined by guest expert Gabrielle Walker, a scientist, consultant and business strategist

#188 Pet pandemic, peak meat and post-Covid gigs

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 00:00:18 +0100

Are pets for life or just for lockdown? Is the world losing its taste for meat? And will concert audiences put up with being penned in? Olly Mann, Kari Wilkin, John Stepek and Mike Starling reveal all

SPECIAL OFFER: Claim six free issues of The Week - and a free Moleskin notebook - by going to theweek.co.uk/offer and entering the promo code POD25

#187 Sovereign citizens, troops and suits

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 23:53:52 +0100

Could we all opt out of the legal system? Why does Germany want to keep its US troops? And why are we all giving up on the suit? Olly Mann, Holden Frith, Gabriel Power and Felicity Capon reveal all.

SPECIAL OFFER: Claim six free issues of The Week - and a free Moleskin notebook - by going to theweek.co.uk/offer and entering the promo code POD25

#186 UFOs, boycotts and emojis

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:00:12 +0100

Why is the US funding military research into UFOs? Are our favourite fashion brands indirectly funding genocide in China? And should we 👍 or 👎 emojis in the workplace? Olly Mann, Joe Evans, Kari Wilkin and Felicity Capon reveal all.

#185 Liars, pensioners and toast

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 00:00:06 +0100

Should pathological lying be classified as a diagnostic disorder? Is Greece undercutting European competition with tax breaks for foreign pensioners? And why has unlimited toast and jam caused a huge reduction in prison violence? Olly Mann, James Ashford, John Stepek and Jeremy O’Grady reveal all.

#184 Rising stocks, falling births and work in limbo

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:00:06 +0100

Why are global stock markets soaring in the middle of a recession? Why has the Italian birth rate slumped to its lowest since 1861? And are people happier working from home? Olly Mann, Felicity Capon, John Stepek and Joe Evans reveal all.

#183 Vaccines, animal labour and psychological ads

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 00:00:02 +0100

Are we on the verge of eradicating HIV? Could a political advert get under Donald Trump’s skin? And should humans be banned from setting animals to work? Olly Mann, Jess Hullinger, Joe Evans and Kari Wilkin reveal all

#182 Kosovo, Isis drugs and the second wave of rave

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 00:00:19 +0100

Will the indictment of Kosovo’s President lead to new Balkan tensions? Why is Isis sending amphetamines to Europe? And why might Covid-19 lead to a new round of raves. Olly Mann, Joe Evans, Holden Frith and James Ashford reveal all

#181 Floating cities, ADHD and £100,000 speeches

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 00:00:15 +0100

What is seasteading? Why are kids with short attention spans being prescribed video games? And what can we learn from a £100,000 speech?

#180 Hibernation, Instagram MPs and the house of Assad

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 07:44:55 +0100

Are humans on the cusp of being able to hibernate? Has social media given rise to a new type of politics? And has war finally arrived inside the Assad family? Olly Mann, Arion McNicoll, Jessica Hullinger and Joe Evans reveal all.

SPECIAL OFFER: Claim six free issues of The Week - and a free Moleskin notebook - by going to theweek.co.uk/offer and entering the promo code POD25

#179 Alcohol, furlonteering and swimming in sewage

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:00:01 +0100

Why are South Africa’s hospitals overflowing with drink-related casualties? Should furloughed workers be working for free? And why are British beaches still not clean? Olly Mann, Holden Frith, Kari Wilkin and Theo Tait reveal all.

SPECIAL OFFER: Claim six free issues of The Week - and a free Moleskin notebook - by going to theweek.co.uk/offer and entering the promo code POD25

#178 paedophile hunters, cashless China and sad doctors

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 00:00:19 +0100

Why is a convicted paedophile claiming vigilantes violated his rights? Will China have a future without cash? And are UK doctors facing a depression pandemic? Olly Mann, Felicity Capon, James Ashford and John Stepek reveal all.

SPECIAL OFFER: Claim six free issues of The Week - and a free Moleskin notebook - by going to https://theweek.co.uk/offer and entering the promo code POD25

#177 Seasonless fashion, sacred land and Saudi Magpies

Fri, 29 May 2020 00:00:03 +0100

Why is Gucci renouncing seasons? Why has a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal heritage site been blown up? And who are Newcastle United's prospective new owners? Olly Mann, James Ashford, Jessica Hullinger and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

SPECIAL OFFER: Claim six free issues of The Week - and a free Moleskin notebook - by going to https://theweek.co.uk/offer and entering the promo code POD25

Bonus episode: 25 Years of The Week

Wed, 27 May 2020 00:00:14 +0100

In a special edition for the 25th anniversary of The Week, current editors Theo Tait and Caroline Law and founding editor Jeremy O’Grady join Olly Mann to talk about how the magazine began - and how it has developed a unique approach to the news.

SPECIAL OFFER: Claim six free issues of The Week - and a free Moleskin notebook - by going to https://theweek.co.uk/offer and entering the promo code POD25

For more on The Week’s 25th anniversary, visit https://subscription.theweek.co.uk/25years

#176 Skin hunger, Taiwan and the University of Zoom

Fri, 22 May 2020 00:00:08 +0100

What are the health effects of living without touch? Has coronavirus advanced the cause of Taiwanese independence? And will students buy into virtual education. Olly Mann, Jeremy O’Grady, Holden Frith and Kari Wilkin reveal all

For six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: pod25

#175 Razor wire, Pinochet and CGI influencers

Fri, 15 May 2020 00:00:18 +0100

Why are the fences around “Fortress Europe” being taken down? Why has Pinochet’s great-niece been named Chile’s women’s minister? And are CGI influencers less fake than the real ones? Olly Mann, Arion McNicoll, Felicity Capon and Joe Evans reveal all.

#174 Salaries, sorties and dropshippers

Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:17 +0100

How did the US women’s football team lose their equal pay case? Why isn’t the RAF on lockdown like the rest of us? And what can traditional retailers learn from their upstart online rivals? Olly Mann, Jessica Hullinger, James Ashford and Holden Frith reveal all.

#173 Dreams, Zooms and executions

Fri, 01 May 2020 00:04:34 +0100

Why are people the world over experiencing vivid dreams? Are Zoom weddings the new norm for nuptials? And why has Saudi Arabia stopped executing minors? Olly Mann, Gabriel Power, Kari Wilkin and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#172 Food, free speech and gold

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 00:00:04 +0100

Is counting calories unhealthy? Why has the UK fallen down the press freedom index? And is the price of gold headed for an all-time high? Olly Mann, James Ashford, Felicity Capon and John Stepek reveal all.

#171 Memorabilia, hunting and ‘Cinderella’ abuse

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:03 +0100

Are the handwritten lyrics to Hey Jude worth $910,000? Has Prince Harry shot his last pheasant? And why is sororal violence on the rise? Olly Mann, Holden Frith, Arion McNicoll and Felicity Capon discuss all.

If you need to speak to someone about domestic violence the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women’s Aid. International helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org.

#170 Radiation, Rwanda and revisionism

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 00:00:06 +0100

Why are radiation levels spiking again near Chernobyl? How many bodies are yet to be discovered in Rwanda? And why has Prague taken down a statue of a Soviet-era military commander? Olly Mann, Gabriel Power, Jessica Hulliger and Joe Evans reveal all.

#169 Happiness, coral and gay Singapore

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 00:00:07 +0100

Can we learn to be more joyful? Are the world’s coral reefs doomed? And why is gay sex still illegal in Singapore? Olly Mann, Kari Wilkin, Theo Tait and Holden Frith reveal all.

#168 Virtual protest, RuPaul and rhinos

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0100

How do you march if you’re in self-isolation? Is RuPaul really an oil baron? And are rhino numbers heading in the right direction? Olly Mann, Joe Evans, James Ashford and Felicity Capon reveal all.

#167 Electric trees, government weed and skywriting

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 01:00:21 +0100

Could rustling leaves power the homes of the future? Why isn’t legal cannabis catching on in Canada? And will British skies soon fill with messages? Olly Mann, Holden Frith, Hollie Clemence and Joe Evans reveal all.

#166 Arctic chlamydia, oil and alcohol-free beer

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 01:00:16 +0100

How did an STI get to the Arctic seabed? What’s going on with the price of oil? And why are we drinking more low-alcohol beer? Olly Mann, Gabriel Power, Jess Hullinger and John Stepek reveal all.

#165 Nudism, Hugo Boss and zero shades of grey

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 01:00:20 +0100

Should making fun of naturists be classed as a hate crime? Is Hugo Boss a brand bully? And is it time to update our laws on domestic abuse? Olly Mann, Arion McNicoll, James Ashford and Felicity Capon reveal all.

Trigger warning: this episode includes a first-person account of domestic abuse.

Business Unwrapped: intelligent predictions

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 01:00:02 +0100

How might the AI models being used to tackle coronavirus end up shaping the economy of the future? Olly Mann and The Week’s Arion McNicoll are joined by guest expert Lisa Talia Moretti to talk about agility in the age of disruption.

#164 Swearing, treason and a PM’s murder mystery

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 01:00:18 +0100

Should swearing in public be banned? Why is the main opposition leader in Cambodia being accused of treason? And how has the prime minister of Lesotho become caught up in a sensational murder trial? Olly Mann, Gabriel Power, Kari Wilkin and Joe Evans reveal all.

#163 Cyborg insects, pacifist gamers and satellite overload

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 01:00:09 +0100

Why are locusts being used as bomb sniffers? Are video games becoming less violent? And are there too many satellites orbiting Earth? Olly Mann, Holden Frith, Arion McNicoll and Jessica Hullinger reveal all.

Business Unwrapped: beyond zero carbon

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 01:00:03 +0100

Will businesses of the future have to be carbon-negative, not just carbon-neutral? Olly Mann and The Week’s Hollie Clemence are joined by guest expert Alice Bell of the climate charity Possible to talk about agility in the age of disruption.

#162 Reincarnation, refugees and the green bubble

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 01:00:16 +0100

Can VR bring loved ones back from the dead? Could overcrowded refugee camps cause a pandemic? And can BP reinvent itself for the green era? Olly Mann, Jessica Hullinger, Theo Tait and John Stepek reveal all.

#161 Mercenaries, Malawi and infidelity tests

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:00:21 +0100

How did Michael ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare become the world’s most famous mercenary? Why has Malawi’s presidential election been annulled? And are DNA “infidelity tests” legal? Arion McNicoll, Hollie Clemence, Felicity Capon and Joe Evans reveal all.

Business Unwrapped: the intelligent city

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 01:00:03 +0100

How high-tech, connected cities will change their inhabitants’ lives. Olly Mann and The Week’s Arion McNicoll are joined by guest expert Jonn Elledge to talk about agility in the age of disruption.

#160 Psychedelic medicine, ice wars and the Bristol pound

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 01:00:09 +0100

Could LSD make us happier and more productive? Why is the Antarctic Treaty under threat? And what’s the problem with hyper-local currencies? Olly Mann, Holden Frith, Hollie Clemence and John Stepek reveal all.

#159 Drug wars, hedge funds and placebos

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 01:00:18 +0100

Why has Mexico suffered its most violent year on record? Are women better at investing than men? And are placebos the answer to chronic pain?

Business Unwrapped: the productivity conundrum

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 01:00:20 +0100

Could technology boost British productivity and fend off the risk of recession?

#158 Space dates, living apart and pub chaperones

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 01:00:09 +0100

Why is a Japanese billionaire looking for a ‘single woman’ to join him on a trip to the Moon? What does ‘living apart together’ mean? And why is law firm Linklaters trying to keep its staff in check at boozy social gatherings?

#157 Testosterone, vegans and locusts

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 01:00:11 +0100

Why are testosterone levels plummeting? Do vegans need legal protection? And why are locusts swarming across East Africa? Olly Mann, Holden Frith, Kari Wilkin and Gabriel Power reveal all

Business Unwrapped: the end of petrol

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 01:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week’s Holden Frith are joined by transport and technology writer Nicole Kobie to talk about agility in the age of disruption. This week: the rise of electric cars - and the likely consequences for consumers, businesses and governments. Brought to you by Lombard Asset Finance

#156 Medals, magazines and mercy killings

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 01:00:02 +0100

Why is France planning to bestow the Légion d'honneur on London? Should euthanasia be made available to dementia sufferers? And why are New Zealanders turning over magazines in newsagents? Olly Mann, Felicity Capon, Joe Evans and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#155 The Year Unwrapped 2019

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 01:00:12 +0100

Why is Dolly Parton having a millennial moment? Are fossil fuels dead and buried? And why was 2019 such a good year for investors? Olly Mann, Holden Frith, Arion McNicoll and Jessica Hullinger reveal all.

#154 Portable homes, surrogacy and cobalt mining

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 01:00:11 +0100

Could moveable houses be the answer to coastline erosion? Should commercial surrogacy be legal in Britain? And is your phone tainted by the child labour epidemic in the DRC? Olly Mann, Hollie Clemence, Kari Wilkin and Gabriel Power reveal all.

#153 Psychopaths, privileged actors and Saudi oil

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 01:00:18 +0100

Is being a psychopath actually a good thing? Why do most actors come from privileged backgrounds? And why is the most successful ever flotation being seen as a flop?

#152 Assassins, audiobooks and animal sacrifice

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 01:00:10 +0100

Should Europe be worried about Chechen death squads? Do audiobooks spell trouble for the printed word? And why are Hindu worshippers ignoring a ban on slaughtering animals? Olly Mann, Gabriel Power, Kari Wilkin and Joe Evans reveal all.

#151 Virtual dresses, military power and anxious cows

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 01:00:15 +0100

Is the future of fashion clothes we cannot wear? Should we be worried about the British Army’s capabilities? And why are cows wearing VR headsets?

#150 Female cars, war crimes and self-rule

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 01:00:13 +0100

Why has Donald Trump pardoned three US soldiers accused of war crimes? Can Aston Martin attract more female customers with its first SUV? And is Bougainville about to become the world's newest country? Olly Mann, Arion McNicoll, Gabriel Power and Felicity Capon reveal all.

#149 Farming, forecasting and a global downgrade

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 03:00:16 +0100

Can we predict the future by identifying patterns in the past? Why has Moody’s issued a debt downgrade warning to the entire world? And how are Europe’s farm subsidies being exploited by populist leaders? Jeremy O’Grady, Hollie Clemence and John Stepek reveal all.

#148 Beauty, green guilt and criminal children

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 01:00:14 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why do attractive people do better in school? Does "green guilt" help in the fight against climate change? And what should the age of criminal responsibility be? Kari Wilkin, Arion McNicoll and James Ashford reveal all.

#147 Protesting, investing and going paperless

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 01:00:17 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Does the unrest in Chile have anything in common with other mass protests around the world? Have casual investors woken up to the fact that many of the experts who manage their money aren’t very good at it? And can Russia win its “fight against paper”?

#146 Quebeckers, millionaires and autobahns

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 00:00:18 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Quebecan separatism back on the agenda? Where are the world’s new millionaires? And why are Germans sticking to their high-speed habits? Gabriel Power, Holden Frith and Cameron Tait reveal all.

#145 Brexit-free news, homeschooling and political hair

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 00:00:08 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should we be able to filter out unwelcome news? Why are more children being taught at home? And why are female politicians still criticised for their appearance? Rebecca Gillie, Hollie Clemence and Felicity Capon reveal all.

#144 Dopamine fasting, AI interviews and old tunes

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 00:00:09 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will robots decide who gets a job? Should we deprive ourselves of high-tech stimulation? And why can’t over-30s learn to love new music? Jessica Hullinger, Cameron Tait and Gabriel Power reveal all.

#143 The B word

Sat, 05 Oct 2019 19:00:08 +0100

In a live special from the Podcast Live: Politics festival in London, Olly Mann, The Week and special guest Iain Dale cover some fairly large news we've avoided for three years - Brexit! Has Brexit harmed the EU? What's going on with the Euro? What happens if we end up staying? Kari Wilkin, John Stepek and Iain Dale reveal all.

#142 French sperm, reparations and the Arctic

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 00:00:16 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why is France rationing IVF? How does Labour plan to right the wrongs of colonialism? And will the Arctic survive a new scramble for oil? Holden Frith, Jessica Hullinger and Theo Tait reveal all.

#141 Strippers, food waste and gender-neutral parenting

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 00:00:02 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Where do strip clubs fit in feminism? Can technology solve the world's food waste problem? And should children be brought up without a gender? Read our full briefing on the couple keeping the gender of their toddler a secret at theweek.co.uk/unwrapped.

#140 Weather, Afrophobia and online shaming

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 00:00:20 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are some countries better at predicting weather than others? What is causing South Africans to become more intolerant of migrants? And should victims of abuse be free to name and publicly shame their abusers?

#139 Vaping, toilets and TED talks

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 00:00:14 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is vaping more dangerous than we had thought? Are we on the cusp of revolution in toilet technology? And does TED have a diversity problem? Holden Frith, Jessica Hullinger and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#138 Facial recognition, the dollar and lashings of ginger beer

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 00:00:03 +0100

The Week delves behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days. Should we be worried about facial-recognition software? Is the US dollar’s status as the global reserve currency coming to an end? And why do millions of children all over the world still flock to the dated adventures of the Famous Five? Arion McNicoll, John Stepek, Rebecca Gillie and Cameron Tait reveal all.

#137 Satanism, abortion and faulty evidence

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 00:00:16 +0100

The Week delves behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days. Should we take Satanists seriously as the new voice of reason? How reliable is mobile phone location data as court evidence? And is abortion under threat in the US? Arion McNicoll, Felicity Capon, Holden Frith and Hollie Clemence reveal all.

#136 Bio-weapons, Mongolians and bad education

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 00:00:13 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Could biological weapons that target specific ethnic groups soon become a reality? Is Mongolia set to become the next global power player? And is the insistence on “canon” texts and rote learning destroying GCSE students’ love of English? Gabriel Power, Kari Wilkin and Rebecca Gillie reveal all.

#135 Swine fever, Katy Perry and inner voices

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 00:00:09 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is African swine fever coming to Europe? Will our inner monologues soon be audible to others? And is Katy Perry’s music is greater than the sum of its parts? Felicity Capon, Rebecca Gillie and Theo Tait reveal all.

#134 Autopilot security, Apple’s pivot and candid weddings

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 00:00:07 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. How hard is it to hack an airliner? Have we reached peak iPhone? And would you trust a low-fi wedding photographer? Holden Frith, Cameron Tait and Hollie Clemence reveal all

#133 Fake breasts, African Google and bad medicine

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 00:00:05 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are thousands of women reporting health problems after getting breast implants? What is behind the French government’s decision to stop reimbursing patients for homeopathic treatment? And why is Google Maps being given a Nigerian accent?

#132 Brain hacking, rent rises and genetic IQ

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 00:00:14 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why is Elon Musk trying to wire computers directly to the human brain? Are exam results more down to genetics than schooling? And why is Berlin renationalising chunks of previously privatised council housing? Hollie Clemence, Arion McNicoll and John Stepek reveal all.

#131 Rainforests, asbestos and gender-reveals

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 00:00:19 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why is Brazil destroying so many trees? What are British schools doing about their asbestos problems? And what on earth is a gender-reveal party?

#130 Whales, TV and the flight of a princess

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 00:00:07 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why has Japan resumed commercial whaling? What led Princess Haya to flee Dubai for London? And why is watching TV about to get a lot more expensive? Holden Frith, Gabriel Power and Rebecca Gillie reveal all.

#129 Meds, bonds and the 10,000-hour rule

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are we diagnosing and treating mental illness the wrong way? Why are investors paying governments interest for the privilege of lending money to them? And do generalists actually do better in life than specialists? Hollie Clemence, Arion McNicoll and John Stepek reveal all.

#128 Self-trackers, women in politics and overpopulation

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 00:00:09 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Has tech made us obsessed with tracking our every move?Why are women still fighting prejudice in politics? And what will the world’s population look like in 2050? Kari Wilkin, Rebecca Gillie and Jess Hullinger reveal all.

#127 Firewalls, joke leaders and naughty yoga

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 00:00:20 +0100

Olly Mann, The Week and special guest Bassem Youssef delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why is Iran cracking down on yoga classes? How did a comedian become president of Ukraine? And what prompted China to finally ban Wikipedia and The Guardian? Bassem Youssef, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#126 Happiness, fruity robots and dystopian TV

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:00:03 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is New Zealand really choosing wellness over wealth? Will fruit-picking robots gain the human touch? And why is the near future so scary? Felicity Capon, Holden Frith and Jamie Timson reveal all.

#125 Rickets, torture and why all PR is good

Fri, 31 May 2019 00:00:06 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why is rickets on the rise in the UK? What is behind the growing support for torture around the world? And is it time to replace first-past-the-post with proportional representation? Jamie Timson, Kari Wilkin and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#124 Yemeni drugs, Swiss guns and British swearing

Fri, 24 May 2019 00:00:12 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What’s behind the khat epidemic in Yemen? Is Swiss gun culture on the wane? And is the C-word entering the mainstream. Rebecca Gillie, Holden Frith and Felicity Capon reveal all

#123 The Moon, hugs and deaths of despair

Fri, 17 May 2019 00:00:18 +0100

Warning: references to suicide.

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why is Nasa returning to the Moon? What is driving the rise in suicide and drug and alcohol overdoses in Britain and the US? And is paying for hugs an important service or just plain creepy? Jessica Hullinger, Hollie Clemence and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14.

#122 Cable cars, Turkey and charity woes

Fri, 10 May 2019 00:30:14 +0100

Would putting a cable car on Kilimanjaro be a disaster? Why is the number of people giving to charity in the UK falling? And why is Turkey on the precipice? Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Kari Wilkin reveal all.

#121 Gossip ban, Instagram and Cameroon

Fri, 03 May 2019 00:00:18 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is loose talk a threat to society? Why is Instagram hiding your Likes? And what’s happening in Cameroon? Rebecca Gillie, Cameron Tait and Jamie Timson reveal all.

#120 Bananas, child actors and insurance for smokers

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 00:30:09 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will science rescue the banana? Is YouTube stifling child actors? And why is a tobacco company selling life insurance? Jamie Timson, Hollie Clemence and Kari Wilkins reveal all.

#119 Crypto-terrorists, microplastics and the 996 system

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 00:00:20 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are terrorists turning to cryptocurrency? Should we be alarmed by the continuing spread of microplastics? And is Jack Ma right that we should all be working from 9am to 9pm six days a week? Felicity Capon, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#118 Sad rappers, gay Iranians and popular populists

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 00:30:15 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Do celebrities deserve privacy? Why is authoritarianism becoming more popular? And how did Iran become a hub for sex-reassignment surgery? Felicity Capon, Holden Frith and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#117 True crime, office homes and the electoral college

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 17:38:22 +0100

In a live special from the Podcast Live: Politics festival in London, Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. How did true crime become entertainment? Should the US abolish the electoral college? And what is the impact of turning old office blocks into housing? Holden Frith, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Gillie reveal all.

#116 Speed-limited cars, ASMR and the Papal ring

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 01:00:17 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why does Pope Francis not want people to kiss his ring? Should cars be automatically speed limited? And why is ASMR the fifth most-searched term on YouTube? Cameron Tait, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#115 Jobs, adulthood and the digital dark age

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 01:00:21 +0100

Olly Mann and the Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why is nobody celebrating the UK’s glowing employment figures? When do we actually become adults? And is the Myspace data loss a sign of things to come? Hollie Clemence, Kari Wilkin and John Stepek reveal all.

#114 Crime apps, Algeria and BirthStrikers

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 01:00:23 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days. Can smartphone alerts tackle street crime? What’s going on in Algeria? And is refusing to have children a reasonable response to climate change? Holden Frith, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon reveal all

#113 Autosexuality, monolingualism and curing HIV

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 01:00:21 +0100

The Week delves behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days. Is it wrong to find yourself attractive? Why is language learning in decline? And is a cure for HIV getting closer? Arion McNicoll, Rebecca Gillie, Hollie Clemence and Kari Wilkin reveal all.

#112 Horror jobs, 5G and arguing with kids

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 01:00:14 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should tech companies use computers to moderate upsetting online content? Can Huawei be trusted to build Europe's 5G infrastructure? And was Dianne Feinstein wrong to get into an environmental policy debate with children? Felicity Capon, Cameron Tait and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#111 Dog DNA tests, Haiti and deleted scenes

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 01:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why have five armed US military veterans been arrested in Haiti? What can dog DNA tests tell us about ourselves? And should films be re-edited for the next generation? Rebecca Gillie, Jamie Timson and Hollie Clemence reveal all.

#110 Accents, stingy billionaires and female AI

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 04:22:25 +0100

Olly Mann, The Week and guest Edith Bowman delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are regional accents becoming harder to distinguish? Will artificial intelligence offer advantages to women? And why are billionaires giving less of their money away? Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Edith Bowman reveal all.

#109 Prisoners, Tasers and wandering poles

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 01:00:10 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why have so many female inmates suffered head injuries? Are Tasers too dangerous to be carried by police? And where will the North Pole turn up next? Rebecca Gillie, Kari Wilkins and Holden Frith reveal all

#108 Hypersonic planes, €1 homes and Afghan peace

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 01:00:23 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is hypersonic flight the future of aviation? Are €1 homes in the Italian countryside worth the money? And will the US-Taliban peace ‘framework’ lead to a lasting deal? Arion McNicoll, Hollie Clemence and Cameron Tait reveal all

#107 Dating leave, buses and tuskless elephants

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 01:00:08 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should single women get more time off work? What’s happening to British bus routes? And why are elephants being born without tusks? Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Holden Frith reveal all

#106 Schools, sausage parties and Africa forever

Fri, 18 Jan 2019 01:00:13 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will new school inspections raise education standards? How problematic is pornographic language in films? And what can Toto teach us about our capacity for long-term thinking?

#105 Insomnia, divorce and a power crisis

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 01:00:11 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should we teach children how to sleep? Are divorce payouts too high? And why are energy companies going bankrupt?

#104 Human composting, street politics and malaria

Fri, 04 Jan 2019 01:00:18 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are protesters more effective than politicians? Is the fight against malaria about to get much harder? And would you choose to end your days on a compost heap?

#103 The Year Unwrapped 2018

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 01:00:17 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 12 months. Are the days of the open internet over? Why is oil consumption continuing to increase, despite all evidence of climate change? And will the record number of female politicians elected this year change the world for the better in 2019? Kari Wilkin, Arion McNicoll and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

#102 Tumblr porn, endurance feats and crisis in Belgium

Fri, 21 Dec 2018 01:00:14 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Was Tumblr right to ban all pornography on its platform? Will Belgium's political crisis have a knock-on effect for global attitudes towards migration? And are feats of human endurance brave or just plain foolish?

#101 Christmas puppies, data theft and free travel

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 01:00:21 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why isn’t the exposure of 50 million people’s data causing more outrage? Should the world follow Luxembourg’s example and make public transport free? And should a dog ever be bought for Christmas? Rebecca Gillie, Hollie Clemence and Cameron Tait reveal all

#100 Expensive burgers, informants, and age fluidity

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 01:00:18 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is fast food becoming too pricey? Should lawyers be allowed to snitch on guilty clients? And is age nothing but a number?

#99 War guilt, genetics and the decline of the pub

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 06:20:09 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should companies be forced to pay reparations for their role in the Holocaust? Should doctors be legally required to break patient confidentiality rules over genetic illnesses? And is the end of your independent local boozer actually a good thing?

#98 Missionaries, forgeries and spying police

Fri, 23 Nov 2018 01:00:22 +0100

Should missionaries be banned from trying to reach uncontacted tribes? Is art forgery a victimless crime? And are relations between Sikhs and British police broken beyond repair? Hollie Clemence, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNichol reveal all...

#97 Money diaries, vegan meat and violence in sport

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 01:00:13 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Do “bleeding” plant-based burgers signal the start of the vegan revolution? Do Millennial money diaries demystify personal finance? And is a bit of pushing and shoving in Formula 1 ever ok? Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Cameron Tait reveal all

#96 Alien visitors, secret profiling and an Arab winter

Fri, 09 Nov 2018 01:00:14 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Did aliens send a probe in October last year to monitor us? Why are companies assigning secret scores to consumers? And is Lebanon on the brink of bankruptcy? Kari Wilkin, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#95 AI peacekeepers, the human cloud and yoga trousers

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 01:00:03 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Could artificial intelligence prevent war? Will your next job be virtual? And will ‘athleisure’ kill off fashion? Felicity Capon, Cameron Tait and Jamie Timson reveal all

#94 Nuclear treaties, drugs and selfish cities

Fri, 26 Oct 2018 00:00:13 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Trump right to kill off a weapons deal? Why can't South Koreans smoke dope in Canada? And are city-dwellers less public spirited? Rebecca Gillie, Holden Frith and Hollie Clemence reveal all

#93 Saudi wrestling, cultural stereotypes and the Orthodox Church

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 05:20:56 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should WWE cancel its Saudi extravaganza? Do we need to change how we teach sociology in school? And are we about to witness the biggest schism in Christianity in 1,000 years? Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#92 Language wars, green pricing and fast women

Fri, 12 Oct 2018 00:00:09 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Can the two Koreas agree a common dictionary? Should the price of products reflect their ecological cost? And is female-only motorsport a sign of progress or prejudice? Rebecca Gillie, Holden Frith and Cameron Tait reveal all

Business Unwrapped: the care gender gap

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 01:00:09 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week’s Rebecca Gillie are joined by social care reporter Katherine Purvis. This week: why are men under-represented in the caring professions, and could they plug the post-Brexit skills gap?

#91 Iraqi women, rogue judges and evidence of abuse

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 00:00:09 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Does sexual abuse alter the DNA of survivors? Should judges be more accountable? And why are Iraqi women being killed? Hollie Clemence, Kari Wilkin and Felicity Capon reveal all

#90 Sino-Swedish spats, the BBC and digital sex ed

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 01:31:20 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is the diplomatic tension between Sweden and China a sign of things to come? Should the BBC be chasing ratings? And what role can video games play in sexual education? Kari Wilkin, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

Business Unwrapped: the UK media revolution

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 06:24:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week’s Holden Frith are joined by Faraz Osman, managing director of TV production company Goldwala. This week: is the growing backlash against social networks an opportunity for British media companies?

#89 Daylight saving, DNA patenting and Fortnite addiction

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:00:06 +0100

Arion McNicoll, sitting in for Olly Mann, and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should we abolish daylight saving time? Is patenting the genes of marine creatures anti-scientific? And is the video game Fortnite causing divorces? Holden Frith, Jamie Timson and Hollie Clemence reveal all

#88 Plastic pollution, Nollywood and early retirement

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 00:00:16 +0100

Arion McNicoll, sitting in for Olly Mann, and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is it possible to retire in your thirties? Can technology save our oceans? And will Netflix hasten the rise of Nigerian cinema? Kari Wilkin, Cameron Tait and Felicity Capon reveal all

Business Unwrapped: Cycling for success

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 01:00:06 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's Jamie Timson are joined by Dr Rachel Aldred, a reader in transport at the University of Westminster. This week: how businesses can get employees on their bikes - and what they stand to gain. Brought to you by Barclays Corporate Banking

#87 Internet taxes, microdosing and celebrities at war

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 00:00:06 +0100

Rebecca Gillie, sitting in for Ollie Mann, and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are web freedoms under threat in Africa? Could small doses of LSD make you more productive? And is Jameela Jamil right to take on the Kardashians?
Kari Wilkin, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon reveal all

#86 Electric flights, reproductive rights and political fights

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are electric planes the future of aviation? Will scrapping birth restrictions boost China’s population? And is ‘centrist’ Emmanuel Macron sliding quickly toward the right? Jamie Timson, Holden Frith and Arion McNicoll reveal all

Business Unwrapped: Disability and opportunity

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 08:43:30 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's Arion McNicoll are joined by employment lawyer Kevin Poulter. This week: how companies and their employees can benefit from bringing disabled people into the workforce. Brought to you by Barclays Corporate Banking

#85: Future warfare, honours and best-selling albums

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 00:00:08 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will the future of warfare be more Stalingrad than Star Wars? Is it wrong to give honours to footballers? And are The Eagles really better than Michael Jackson? Hollie Clemence, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#84 Isis, hyperinflation and doomsday boltholes

Fri, 17 Aug 2018 00:00:08 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Could Isis make a comeback? What’s happening in Venezuela? And why is New Zealand banning foreign home-buyers? Felicity Capon, Rebecca Gillie and Holden Frith reveal all.

Business Unwrapped: Renewable energy

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 01:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's Rebecca Gillie are joined by Dale Vince, former New Age Traveller and now founder and chief executive of Ecotricity. This week: how consumers and businesses can help to turn the national grid green. Brought to you by Barclays Corporate Banking

#83 Drugs, violent politics and deliberative democracy

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is ideological violence the new normal? Do Chinese drug manufacturers pose a risk to international consumers? And can citizens decide on complex policies? Kari Wilkin, Jamie Timson and Hollie Clemence reveal all.

#82 Political kinks, plastic guns and Pakistan

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Big Foot porn the last frontier for liberal politics? Will 3D printing make weapons ubiquitous? And what do Imran Khan and Donald Trump have in common? Rebecca Gillie, Cameron Tait and Felicity Capon reveal all

Business Unwrapped: The fourth industrial revolution

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 01:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's Holden Frith are joined by Lee Hopley, chief economist at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation. This week: how businesses need to prepare themselves for automation, artificial intelligence and smart factories. Brought to you by Barclays Corporate Banking

#81 Firings, funerals and good news about Ebola

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should bad Twitter jokes be a sackable offence? Is Ebola in retreat? And are modern funerals too frivolous? Arion McNicoll, Hollie Clemence and Holden Frith reveal all

#80 Childhood memories, QAnon and carcinogenic phones

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 14:51:03 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Do mobile phones cause cancer? Is QAnon the new Pizzagate? And can you trust your childhood memories? Kari Wilkin, Jamie Timson and Arion McNicoll reveal all

Business Unwrapped: Russia opens its doors

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 02:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's Felicity Capon are joined by The Independent’s Simon Calder to seek out good news stories. This week: how the World Cup has put Russia back on the map for British tourists. Brought to you by Barclays Corporate Banking

#79 Immigration, trans wars and tripe

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Britain warming to migration? Who disrupted London’s Pride march? And why is no-one eating offal? Rebecca Gillie, Felicity Capon and Hollie Clemence reveal all

#78 Death by decibel, sand theft and civic terror

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is noise pollution a silent killer? Where is the world’s sand going? And why are Islamist fundamentalists banning plastic bags? Arion McNicoll, Felicity Capon and Holden Frith reveal all

Business Unwrapped: the Uber economy

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 06:21:10 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week’s Rebecca Gillie are joined by Bloomberg’s Nate Lanxon to seek out good news stories in British business. This week: how Uber is changing to win over London’s legislators. Brought to you by Barclays Corporate Banking

#77 Leakers, narcissists and ‘poorface’

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 00:00:14 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will Donald Trump win his war on leaks? Is poverty tourism offensive? And are narcissists inheriting the earth? Hollie Clemence, Jamie Timson and Kari Wilkin reveal all

#76 Doctor Google, private armies and Windrush Day

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Can Google be trusted to make medical decisions? Why are armed groups proliferating? And is Windrush Day just window-dressing? Kari Wilkin, Felicity Capon and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#75 IQ, condoms and flirting

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are we getting less intelligent? Is sex getting less safe? And are female flirts taking a liberty? Hollie Clemence, Holden Frith and Jamie Timson reveal all

#74 - Dinosaurs, Miss America and the ethics of eating plants

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0100

In a live special from Cheltenham Science Festival, Olly Mann, The Week and special guest Adam Rutherford delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should the sale of dinosaur bones to private owners be stopped? Is the Miss America competition doomed? And is eating plants wrong? Rebecca Gillie, Arion McNicoll and Adam Rutherford reveal all.

#73 Strikes, historic repatriation and Tesla

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:02 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is the decline of trade unions good news? Why are French museums emptying their cabinets? And is Elon Musk treated unfairly by the media? Hollie Clemence, Jamie Timson and Cameron Tait reveal all

#72 Calpol, meth and addiction to power

Fri, 25 May 2018 00:00:12 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Calpol the heroin of childhood? Can south-east Asia curb its growing meth problem? And are presidential term limits a good idea? Rebecca Gillie, Jamie Timson and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#71 Frozen Romans, voluntary tax and a romcom revival

Fri, 18 May 2018 00:00:02 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. How did Roman lead end up in Greenland? Should well-off people offer to pay more tax? And are oldies the new romcom heroes? Holden Frith, Rebecca Gillie and Kari Wilkin reveal all

#70 Armyworms, juuling and the South China Sea

Fri, 11 May 2018 00:00:06 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will armyworms cause a global food crisis? Is juuling the solution to smoking? And will the US go to war in the South China Sea? Hollie Clemence, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon reveal all

#69 Nicaragua, Syria and Cornish cheese

Fri, 04 May 2018 00:00:06 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Nicaragua on the brink of a new revolution? Was Baroness Cox wrong to lead a delegation of priests and peers to Syria? And is the first ever Cornish-language psych-pop album a cause for celebration? Rebecca Gillie, Felicity Capon and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#68 Video-game morality, clocks and bugs

Fri, 27 Apr 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is domestic violence a fit subject for gaming? What is horological illiteracy? And could bacteria affect your mood? Cameron Tait, Hollie Clemence and Holden Frith reveal all

#67 Kendrick Lamar, dress codes and India's rape crisis

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Has hip-hop has finally come of age? Why is rape a political issue in India? And should barristers be banned from wearing 'kinky' boots? Jamie Timson, Kari Wilkin and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#66 Child-shaming, The Simpsons and Travellers

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 00:00:04 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are parents turning to YouTube for punishment? Is Apu racist? And why do Travellers face hostility? Hollie Clemence, Kari Wilkin and Jamie Timson reveal all

#65 Congo, cashlessness and literary clashes

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 20:41:15 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why is Congo mired in violence? Should we cling on to paper money? And will the Man Booker prize slam the door on American writers? Rebecca Gillie, Arion McNicoll and Holden Frith reveal all

#64 Space wars, anti-Semitism and older mums

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 21:27:10 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will the wars of the future be fought in space? Why is French anti-Semitism on the rise? And why do over-40s have so many kids? Rebecca Gillie, Felicity Capon and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#63 Baseball, Chinese criminals and brain back-ups

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 22:02:57 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is China's plan to ban criminals from planes and trains a human rights violation? Will the latest attempt to bring baseball to Britain work? And might we soon be able to live forever by downloading our minds? Jamie Timson, Mike Starling and Cameron Tait reveal all

#62 Cuba, millennials and product placement

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 23:04:23 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Do millennials really deserve discount rail travel? What will Cuba be like without a Castro at the helm? And is product placement in TV shows getting out of control? Jamie Timson, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#61 Sri Lanka, healthy drinking and the death of NME

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 22:17:34 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Sri Lanka’s fragile peace in doubt? Is the French President really a health hazard? And what will the Indie kids read now? Jamie Timson, Kari Wilkin and Felicity Capon reveal all

#60 Ivanka, conspiracies and Chinese blackface

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 22:01:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is it wrong to ask Ivanka Trump about her father's alleged affairs? Does China have a racism problem? And are liberals spreading right-wing conspiracy theories? Arion McNicoll, Felicity Capon and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

#59 Germany, rough sleeping and e-books

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 21:05:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should we give cash to the homeless? Are ebooks stupid? And does the rise of the AfD in Germany prove proportional representation voting doesn't work? Jamie Timson, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNicoll reveal all.

#58 Isis killers, transport delays and parental rivalry

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:12:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What should we do with returning jihadis? Why is public transport in decline? And why aren't more fathers taking shared parental leave? Arion McNicoll, Holden Frith and Felicity Capon reveal all.

#57 Veganism, gig workers and Italy's new fascism

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:45:47 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Have we all become accidental flexitarians? Are self-employment laws unfit for purpose? And is Italy seeing a rebirth of far-right nationalism? Kari Wilkin, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Gillie reveal all.

#56 Water wars, hot Tories and AI celebrity porn

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 21:47:00 +0100

The Week delves behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days. Why is Cape Town running out of water? Are Conservatives more attractive than Lefties? And will we be deluged with fake celebrity porn created by Artificial Intelligence? Arion McNicoll, Cameron Tait, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Gillie reveal all.

#55 Michelin stars, overheated tennis and gymnastics abuse

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 05:42:26 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Was Paul Bocuse the best chef ever? Is the Australian Open too hot? And how did the US gymnastics team doctor get away with years of sexual abuse? Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Mike Starling reveal all.

#54 Sex work, Serbia and segregation

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:51:49 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. How should the law treat prostitution? What's going on in Kosovo and Serbia, and how far are we from realising Martin Luther King's dream? Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Kari Wilkin reveal all

#53 Feckless bees, Northern Ireland and solar tiles

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 21:55:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are bees choosing to eat toxins? What next for Northern Ireland? And could your roof power your home? Rebecca Gillie, Jamie Timson and Holden Frith reveal all

#52 Royals, video games and endless football

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 21:51:11 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is the monarchy on its last legs? Should video-game addiction be classified as a mental illness? And is the winter football schedule crippling the players? Kari Wilkin, Arion McNicoll and Mike Starling reveal all

#51 End-of-2017 special: The Year Unwrapped

Fri, 29 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 12 months. Is the world now better than ever? Why aren't we celebrating 2017's medical breakthroughs? And has television changed (and changed us) forever? Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

#50 Poland, jackals and Christmas cards

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 21:43:52 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What should the EU do about Poland? Should we 'rewild' Britain? And are Christmas cards a waste of time? Jamie Timson, Holden Frith and Kari Wilkin reveal all

#49 Web mobs, ghost ships and Trump's moonshot

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 05:56:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are people so mean online? Why are North Koreans abandoning ship? And will Trump really restart the space race? Rebecca Gillie, Arion McNicoll and Cameron Tait reveal all

#48 Killer robots, science awards and drinking fountains

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 19:19:23 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should we train machines to kill us? Should we treat scientists like celebrities? And can public drinking fountains defeat bottled water? Jamie Timson, Kari Wilkin and Mike Starling reveal all

#47 Fatal fashion, legal bills and Battlefront 2

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:17:55 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is fashion destroying the planet? Have Legal Aid cuts backfired? And when does gaming become gambling? Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Cameron Tait reveal all

#46 Manson, gender and football cheats

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 21:50:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should he and she be replaced by them? Will footballers have to stop diving? And why are we fascinated by mass murderers? Kari Wilkins, Rebecca Gillie and Mike Starling reveal all

#45 Flying cars, refugees and the problem with YouTube Kids

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 05:59:07 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will we see flying cars by 2019? Why have we stopped talking about Europe's refugee crisis? And does ElsaGate prove YouTube is too big to control? Rebecca Gillie, Arion McNicoll and Cameron Tait reveal all

#44 Saudi intrigue, transgender politics, and the new Vogue

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 05:54:52 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agitating for war in Lebanon? Will Trumpism be defeated by the LGBTQ community? And can a new editor bring Vogue back in vogue? Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Jamie Timson reveal all

#43 Prisons, masculinity and Radio 4

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 05:56:18 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What's John Humphrys' problem? Why are some prisoners getting the vote? And what do modern men want? Felicity Capon, Kari Wilkins and Holden Frith reveal all

#42 Ethnicity, Einstein and the Big O

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 04:56:57 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why do so many white Americans feel discriminated against? Is Einstein's advice worth $1.5m? And would you pay to see a holographic Roy Orbison? Rebecca Gillie, Holden Frith and Mike Starling reveal all

#41 Mike Pence, cryptocurrencies and The Death of Stalin

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 21:54:18 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Mike Pence more extreme than Donald Trump? Is there anything sinister about mining for Bitcoin? And is Armando Iannucci's new black comedy too close to the bone? Arion McNicoll, Cameron Tait and Kari Wilkin reveal all

#40 Guns, marijuana, and using WhatsApp at work

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 07:26:55 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should YouTube ban gun videos? Is it time the UK legalised marijuana? And is it safe to use WhatsApp to moan about your work colleagues? Felicity Capon, Cameron Tait and Jamie Timson reveal all

#39 Skipping breakfast, working from home and defying Putin

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 04:43:22 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Is working from home unproductive? And is Alexei Navalny a genuine alternative to Vladimir Putin? Kari Wilkin, Rebecca Gillie and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#38 Unhappy childhoods, private spaces and endless tennis

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 07:06:17 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are so many young people depressed? When is a public space not public? And what's going on in the world of tennis. Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Mike Starling reveal all

#37 Golliwogs, e-sports and motor-show models

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 07:06:49 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What should we do with Golliwogs? Should we all be watching e-sports? Do scantily clad women really sell cars? Rebecca Gillie, Arion McNicoll and Cameron Tait reveal all

WARNING: contains discussion of offensive language

#36 Turkish missiles, Roald Dahl and universal basic income

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 05:33:59 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Turkey turning its back on Nato? Do we have to boycott Roald Dahl? And should we all get paid, regardless of whether we work? Holden Frith, Rebecca Gillie and Jamie Timson reveal all

#35 High pay, cyber-sport and godlessness

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 07:04:34 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are vice chancellors overpaid? Is live sport going online? And is God dead (to Brits)? Felicity Capon, Mike Starling and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#34 Young Tories, floods and the death of the sitcom

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 05:11:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Can the Conservatives match Labour's Momentum? Is Hurricane Harvey a purely natural disaster? What happened to the great British sitcom? Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Holden Frith reveal all

#33 Statues, superheroes and health apps

Fri, 25 Aug 2017 07:34:26 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should Nelson be toppled from his pedestal? Have we reached peak superhero? Will health apps save the NHS? Ashley Wassall, Rebecca Gillie and and Cameron Tait reveal all

#32: Stealthy Kiwis, frat houses and Al Gore

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 06:18:34 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is New Zealand plotting to bring down the Australian government? Should all-male clubs be banned from universities? And is Al Gore doomed to failure? Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#31 South Africans, rainbows and edible bugs

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 06:10:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is the ANC heading for defeat? Should gay pride be compulsory? And should we all be eating insects? Holden Frith, Ashley Wassall and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#30 Spies, tourists and sell-outs

Fri, 04 Aug 2017 06:20:18 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Would you fall for a digital honey trap? Are tourists destroying the world? And is it socially acceptable to sell out? Ashley Wassall, Felicity Capon and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

#29 Plunging fertility, Esperanto and AI

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:54:31 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are sperm counts dropping? Is the internationalist dream dead? Is artificial intelligence a threat? Arion McNicoll, Rebecca Gillie and Cameron Tait reveal all

#28 Trump protests, porn and Jane Austen

Fri, 21 Jul 2017 06:41:31 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are protests against Donald Trump counter-productive? Will porn age limits backfire? And what should we learn from Austen's bicentenary? Ashley Wassall, Cameron Tait and Elizabeth Carr-Ellis reveal all

#27 Bitcoin, boxing and the MMR

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 04:55:36 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will bitcoin conquer the world? Should MMR vaccinations be compulsory? Is hype ruining everything? Holden Frith, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis and Jon Harwood reveal all

#26 Prisons, gay rights and dead artists

Fri, 07 Jul 2017 04:56:54 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is solitary confinement a suitable punishment for a child? Why has the gay rights movement been so successful? And should art be preserved, even against its creator's wishes? Jamie Timson, Holden Frith and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

#25 Abortion, ID cards and cities of culture

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 07:25:32 +0100

Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Are ID cards back on the agenda? What's wrong with the abortion act? And what price culture? Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Elizabeth Carr-Ellis reveal all

#24 Inequality, the Balkans and the end of divorce

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 04:56:28 +0100

Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Does inequality matter more than poverty? Why aren't people getting divorced any more? And are the Balkans heading for a new war? Ashley Wassall, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

#23 Julius Caesar, online terror and tabloid power

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 04:59:47 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should artists imagine Trump's assassination? Can Google stop the spread of terror? And is it The Sun wot lost it? Felicity Capon, Cameron Tait and Ashley Wassall reveal all

#22 Election shockwaves and Comey's big moment

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 18:44:03 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Trump losing his grip? Was foreign policy Corbyn's secret ace in the hole? And is UK politics a charisma-free zone? Arion McNicoll, Jon Harwood and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

#21 The Beatles, boundaries and Trump's big decision

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 04:54:01 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Could Trump solve climate change by accident? Why are we losing 50 MPs? And are we finally getting bored with the Beatles? Anna Dubuis, Holden Frith and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#20 Babymaking apps, cyber-security and inappropriate jokes

Fri, 26 May 2017 07:43:39 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Can technology unite egg and sperm donors? Why is cyber-security so difficult. And what are the limits of humour? Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Cameron Tait and Jon Harwood reveal all

#19 Chelsea Manning, crowdfunding and cricket strikes

Fri, 19 May 2017 04:54:43 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Should we cheer Chelsea Manning's release? Who should pay for education? And why are cricketers going on strike? Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Arion McNicoll and Jon Harwood reveal all

#18 South Korea, an electoral conspiracy and difficult TV drama

Fri, 12 May 2017 04:56:27 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What will happen next on the Korean peninsula? Who or what is Cambridge Analytica? Will the BBC drama Three Girls give comfort to the far right? Holden Frith, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Gillie reveal all

#17 Sports stars, election spending and a slap on the wrist for Putin

Fri, 05 May 2017 04:35:38 +0100

Arion McNicoll and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Angela Merkel now the leader of the free world? Is election spending out of control? And do you need a personality to be a sports personality? Jonathan Harwood, Rebecca Gillie and Ashley Wassall reveal all

#16 Speeding fines, personalised ads and the return of Mr Nasty

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 05:00:34 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What's a fair penalty for speeding? Would you click on an ad that addresses you by name? And where's tennis's manners? Cameron Tait, Anna Dubuis and Jonathan Harwood reveal all

#15 Debates, diesel engines and human rights

Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:55:55 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is Theresa May running scared? Has diesel had its day? And why is York a 'human rights city'? Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Cameron Tait and Ashley Wassall reveal all

#14 Scouts, tantrums and the eternal long weekend

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 21:21:32 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why won't parents don a woggle? What are the politics of being 'deplaned'? And would you like an extra day in bed? Holden Frith, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis and Jamie Timson reveal all

# 13 Robots, Easter eggs and Serbian politics

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 04:58:23 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What if people vote to end democracy? Could you love a robot? Who won the war on Easter? Jamie Timson, Anna Dubuis and Ashley Wassall reveal all

#12 Borders, oldies and social media timebombs

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 08:13:31 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will India trump Trump? Will today's workers ever be able to retire? Will social media scandals change politics? Anna Dubuis, Arion McNicoll and Holden Frith reveal all

#11 - Encryption, citizenship and the PM's power grab

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 08:08:27 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. When is a German not a German? Will encryption thwart the police? Will Brexit result in 'creeping Tudorisation'? Arion McNicoll, Rebecca Gillie and Cameron Tait reveal all

#10 Drones, games and dull super-cities

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 08:23:30 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why doesn't anyone want to host the Commonwealth Games? Where's the world's best place to live? Is Trump's drone policy a threat to world peace? Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Jon Harwood and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#9 Spies, feminists and populists

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 08:20:07 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will putting women on traffic lights bring down the patriarchy? Is the CIA listening to your TV chat? Has populism peaked? Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Ashley Wassal and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#8 Netflix, police cuts and a rugby ruck-up

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 07:06:44 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Have Hollywood studios met their match? How should the police respond to rising abuse claims? And what's gone wrong with the rules of rugby? Jonathan Harwood, Hollie Clemence and Arion McNicoll reveal all

#7 Democracy, pies and the rise of the machines

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 07:33:26 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Do our politicians get an easy ride? What happens when self-driving cars decide to kill us? What's wrong with eating pies? Rebecca Gillie, Cameron Tait and Jonathan Harwood reveal all

#6 Anti-Semitism, nudity and Othello

Fri, 17 Feb 2017 12:07:27 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Has PewDiePie suffered enough? Is Playboy back on the naughty step? Is Othello really about religion, not race? Arion McNicoll, Rebecca Gillie and Holden Frith reveal all.

#5 Accents, artists and Superbowl ads

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 09:17:14 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's digital team delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Why are our accents so important to us? Is big business sending anti-Trump smoke signals? Can Stevie Wonder be trusted? Jamie Timson, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis and Ashley Wassall reveal all

#4 Anarchy, care homes and the French election

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 22:23:00 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's digital team delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is squatting morally justified? Should the state look after our parents? Why should we care who's president of France? Hollie Clemence, Holden Frith and Jamie Timson reveal all.

#3 Trainspotting, Bernie Ecclestone and gleeful Victorians

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 10:29:03 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's digital team delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Is the age of the sport impresario over? Does cinema still matter? Were we happiest amid Dickensian squalor? Jonathan Harwood, Hollie Clemence and Ashley Wassall reveal all.

#2 China, musicals and the end of civilisation

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 09:36:12 +0100

Olly Mann and The Week's digital team delve behind the headlines and debates what really matters from the past seven days. Is China capitalism's last hope? Why does everyone want tickets for Hamilton? Are we all doomed anyway? Jonathan Harwood, Rebecca Gillie, and Holden Frith reveal all.

#1 Adverts, iPhones and first ladies

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 09:50:59 +0100

The Week's digital team delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Was life better before the iPhone? Is online advertising scrambling our brains? Why should we be grateful for Melania Trump? Rebecca Gillie, Arion McNicoll and Elizabeth Carr-Ellis reveal all.