The Story

Patrick and Tom unpack a troubling question - are we entering a third nuclear age? With Iran’s nuclear programme back in the headlines and countries like Poland and South Korea considering building nuclear weapons of their own, the old global order is clearly shifting. Patrick and Tom explore what this means for global security, and whether nuclear proliferation is set to become the new normal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trading blows again after Musk criticised the President’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax and spending bill. Trump has threatened to deport the world’s richest man and set his Doge 'monster' on him. So why does Musk hate the bill, and could this push him to set up a political party to challenge his new rival? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: Tesla sales go into reverse in fresh blow for Elon Musk Clips: Fox, New York Post, MSNBC, BBC, United States Senate, CNN, ABC, AP, WCNC. Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I’ll just go and get some fresh seed” - we reveal growing concerns about mass sperm donation. One man found his father ran a corrupt fertility clinic, providing patients with samples of his own sperm. Another man discovered he has 50 children all over Europe. There has been at least one case of accidental incest. The growing scandal has provoked widespread horror in the Netherlands. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Senay Boztas Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Shabnam Grewal Further reading: I am a father of 50 children, a new one gets in touch almost every week Clips: WSJ.com, Times Radio, The Immaculate Deception - Somethin’ Else/ Sony Music Entertainment, Bloomberg, Youtube.com/@masteringknowledge Photo: Getty images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From dynamic pricing and VIP packages to ‘priority entry’, there seem to be more ways than ever to squeeze money out of music fans - and that’s not even to mention the sky-rocketing cost of a basic standing ticket. The Times' Jonathan Dean has been investigating why the cost of seeing some of our favourite artists has gone stratospheric, and whether the company Live Nation is to blame. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Jonathan Dean Host: Luke Jones Producer: Hannah Varrall Further reading: How did Beyoncé tour tickets go from a small fortune to $25 each? Johnny Depp: ‘I was a crash test dummy for MeToo' Further listening: The making of Beyoncé – by friends, family and Team Bey insiders Music: Bad Guy by Billie Eilish (written by Finneas O’Connell, Billie Eilish O’Connell, published by Darkroom/Interscope Records, Kobalt Music Publishing) Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses (written by Duff McKagan, Jeffrey Isbell, Saul Hudson, Steven Adler, W. Axl Rose, published by Guns N Roses P&D) 505 by The Arctic Monkeys (written by Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys, published by Domino Recording Co) Clips: Sky News, This Morning (ITV), BBC News, Channel 4 News, Adam Webb from FanFair Alliance, Reg Walker, ABC News, CBS News, The Cure (YouTube), BBC Music (YouTube) Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the most contentious week of Keir Starmer’s premiership so far, MPs will gather in the House of Commons later today to vote on the controversial benefits bill. Has the rebellion been effectively squashed? Or is this only the beginning? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Patrick Maguire, Chief Political Commentator, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Taryn Siegel. Clips: Sky News, BBC Parliament, Guardian News, Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers/Freezing this Christmas, The London Standard, TalkTV, ITV/This Morning, Channel 4 News, Times Radio. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani will be officially confirmed as the Democratic Party candidate for New York mayor, putting him in pole position to land the role in November. His win caused a political earthquake in America, personifying questions over the future direction of the party. So who is this fresh new face of the Democratic party, and what does his rise tell us about the increasing popularity of left-wing economics? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Hannah Varrall Further reading: What Zohran Mamdani’s win means for the Democratic Party Further listening: Why the dollar is crashing – and why you should care Clips: Pod Save America, Odd Lots (Bloomberg Podcasts), UNFTR Media, @HasanAbi (YouTube), @ZohranforNYC (YouTube), @mr.cardamom896 (YouTube), Eyewitness NewsABC7NY, CNN, MSNBC, PIX11 News, Fox 5 New York, @Zohran-k-Mamdani (TikTok), NBC News, C-Span2 Book tv, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, @JVPAction (Instagram), @emrata (Instagram), @BloombergTV (X) Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in February. In 2016, 24-year-old Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was sentenced to 10 years in the US State of Missouri, for arranging the murder of her mother. Her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, had Munchausen syndrome by proxy - a rare form of abuse where she would convince doctors that her daughter was ill - leading to unnecessary treatment. The harrowing details of what Blanchard went through have made her a media sensation - but should we feel sympathy for her? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Katie Gatens, Deputy Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Samantha Chantarasak. Further reading: Read Katie's full interview with Gypsy-Rose Blanchard Clips: KY3 News, The Act/Hulu, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard/Lifetime, The Kardashians/Hulu. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny meets up with Alex Blania, the CEO and one of the co-founders, alongside Sam Altman, of Tools for Humanity. Their project Worldcoin, aims to help us weed out AI imitators by verifying humans online. All you have to do is scan your iris on one of their orbs to get a unique biometric ID and some cryptocurrency. Danny and Katie also take on Tesla’s robotaxi rollout, and question whether it's right and proper for humans to fall in love with AI bots? Spoiler alert! The answer is probably not, for both your sakes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Rob Burley started talking to an AI chatbot for feedback while writing his book, he had no idea where the conversation would lead, only 24 hours later. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Rob Burley, writer. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Taryn Siegel. Further reading: Help! I’ve fallen for my chatbot! Is this the future of AI? Clips: Neil Diamond/Forever in blue jeans, Sky News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s golfing buddy Steve Witkoff was a property developer before Trump came to power. Now he’s the president's right-hand-man in all things diplomatic, including sorting the current crisis in Iran. Is he the right man for the job? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Louise Callaghan, Senior US Correspondent, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: How Trump’s team of rivals pulled him back from the brink Further listening: Trump family inc. Clips: Tucker Carlson / Fox / YouTube, BBC, YouTube / Professor Gerdes Explains, CBC News, CNBC, The Kremlin, FIIKSA, Kyiv Independent / Instagram, The Real Deal / YouTube, NBC, Channel 4. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the crisis over Iran driven its already weakened leader to the brink? Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is unpopular but do the people of Iran want regime change from outside? And if he falls, what then for Iran? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: The Making of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.Host: Manveen Rana, Producer: Shabnam Grewal. Further reading: Will Israel’s strikes on Iran bring about a regime change? Iran needs regime change — I’d die for it, says Shah’s son Iran’s Rise and Rivalry with the US in the Middle East: Iran's Rise and its Geostrategic Rivalry with the US in the Middle East by Mohsen Milani Further listening: Iran strikes back: what next? Clips: BBC, ITN News, Coup53, MSNBC, ABC, Al Jazeera English, CBS, DW News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran has launched missiles at US airbases in response to US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Donald Trump says US bombers obliterated Iran’s three main nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow. But the extent of the damage is still unclear. Is the situation escalating and will the US now push for regime change? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Richard Spencer, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edith Rousselot. Further reading: Can Iran block the Strait of Hormuz — and other key questions Clips: Fox News, NBC News, DW News, Forbes Breaking News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Anderson, the Northern Irish designer who made Loewe a billion dollar brand, has just taken on the biggest job in fashion: the first sole creative director of Dior since the eponymous Christian Dior. Ahead of this fashion week there’s been a chaotic reshuffle at the top of fashion as the industry copes with a challenging economic downturn. Who is the most important man in fashion, and can he rescue Dior from the chaos? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Harriet Walker, Fashion Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Anna Dowell. Further reading: Jonathan Anderson: British designer to take the reins at Dior Is this fashion’s most powerful man? Clips: New York Times, SHOWstudio via YouTube, Mashable via YouTube, LOEWE via YouTube Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast was originally published last August. Just hours before the sinking, the party aboard the yacht had been celebrating a spectacular legal victory - so what led to this moment? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Taryn Siegel. Further listening: Danny In The Valley: Mike Lynch’s first post-acquittal interview Clips: Danny In The Valley, TalkTV, GB News, LeadersIn. Photo: Times Media Ltd / Jack Hill. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has held a meeting of the Cobra committee to discuss the Israel-Iran crisis - but how important is it really during a national emergency, and is it the UK's version of the White House Situation Room? The political masterminds also discuss the political impact of backing America during a conflict, and whether Keir Starmer can start ignoring Kemi Badenoch at prime minister's questions. Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first woman to run MI6, the foreign branch of Britain's Secret Intelligence Services has been named. Blaise Metreweli takes over the role of ‘C,’ as the head of the service has always been called, in the autumn. She will go from complete anonymity to becoming the public face of British foreign espionage. A long career in espionage means much is shrouded in mystery but we have some fascinating details about the new C and about the history of the job. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Shabnam Grewal. Further reading: Who really is the new MI6 chief? Here’s everything we could find Blaise Metreweli to be first female chief of MI6 Clips: Sky news, Eon Productions & MGM, @Legaseewarveterans, ITN archive, ABC, Politico. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Decca Aitkenhead was nine when a GP risked jail to help her mother to die. Years later she watched her best friend succumb to the slow torture of Huntington's disease, and for a few days she found herself confronting her own death. She tells Jane Mulkerrins how those experiences have shaped her views on assisted dying. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Decca Aitkenhead, Chief Interviewer, The Sunday Times. Host: Jane Mulkerrins. Producer: Edward Drummond. Further reading: I was 9 when a GP risked jail to help mum die. The law must change Further listening: The debate about death that split the country Clips: ITV/Concord Media, Parliament. Photo: Decca Aitkenhead. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As thousands of Ukrainian soldiers struggle with debilitating PTSD since the Russian invasion, one unconventional therapy has proved surprisingly effective: ketamine. How did this become a treatment for mental illness? And does it really work? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Taryn Siegel. Clips: Netflix/How to change your mind. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Israel pull off the most devastating attack on the Iranian regime in its 45 year history and did it achieve its aim of destroying the country's ability to produce a nuclear weapon? As Tehran retaliates for the deaths of its leading military and nuclear personnel, what is the path to de-escalation, and is there a path to something far worse? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Tom Newton-Dunn Host: Luke Jones Producer: Hannah Varrall, Edith Rousselot Further reading: What weapons does Iran have and how long can it attack Israel? Further listening: The General & The Journalist, from The Times and The Sunday Times Clips: BBC News, France 24, Times News, Youtube @IsraeliPM, WTHR, Sky News, Associated Press, Al Jazeera English, CBS News, Bloomberg News, Guardian News, Fox 9 Minneapolis, Facebook @Firstpost. Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy aren't just changing bodies - they're rewiring society. Half a million Britons have tried them and that number’s soaring. So what will be different in this slim new world? Sunday Times science editor Ben Spencer explains how the drugs are fundamentally altering everything from alcohol to airlines. We also hear Harriet Walker's experience of taking the drugs, and why the expression "on the pen" is now firmly in the vernacular of fashion week. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: I tried Ozempic microdosing, the secret way the rich lose weight All the ways Ozempic will change our world, from alcohol to airlines Clips: Times Radio, Doctor Mike / Youtube, Mark Lewis / YouTube, Fox, @Alexanderweightjourney / YouTube, @DoctorYoun / YouTube, Dr Emma Anders / YouTube, FatOldClimber / YouTube, @ChrisWilx / YouTube, SouthPark / Paramount Plus / Comedy Central, TikTok / Kasiedate, TikTok / @Gabysuecum, TikTok / sistershred. Photo: Romas Foord for The Times magazine. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.