The Story

Deep in rural Arkansas, far right YouTuber Eric Orwoll has founded 'Return to the Land', an all-white compound. Black people, gays and Jews are not allowed to live there. Sixty years after the end of segregation in America, is his community a remote collection of oddballs, or a sign of more extremism to come?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryHost: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.  Producer: Dave Creasey.Read more: The sinister US village for white, straight Christians onlyClips: Piers Morgan Uncensored, PBS, Aarvoll.Photo: Karen Pulfer for The Times MagazineGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British army’s new fleet of Ajax armoured vehicles was meant to be their new jewel in the crown: high tech machines for an army of the future. But after nearly a decade, and more than five billion pounds spent, the vehicles have been withdrawn after accusations they have caused life changing injuries to crews. Today, we hear from the ex-soldier who was once the head of testing these vehicles, speaking about his experience for the first time.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Larisa Brown, defence editor, The Times.Rob Page, ex-British Army lieutenant colonel in charge of the armoured trials and development unit, 2019-2021.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Harry Stott.Read more: Army could have avoided Ajax vehicle injuries, says whistleblowerPhoto: Joshua Bratt for The TimesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warner Bros. Discovery - the revered studio behind Barbie and Casablanca - is up for sale. A bidding war has emerged between Netflix and Paramount. But could either acquisition change the film industry forever? And are these bids even legal?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests:Kevin Maher, chief film critic, The Times.Louisa Clarence-Smith, US business editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.  Producers: Harry Stott, Olivia Case, Shabnam Grewal.Read more: Why Trump is really getting involved with the Warner Bros sagaFurther listening: Has Hollywood run out of ideas?Clips:  Barbie / Great Gerwig / Warner Bros, The Dark Knight / Christopher Nolan / Warner Bros, Casablanca / Michael Curtiz / Warner Bros, Hamnet / Chloe Zhao / Universal Pictures, The Searchers / John Ford / Warner Bros, Dune / Denis Villeneuve / Warner Bros, Joker / Tod Phillips / Warner Bros, Beasts of No Nation / Cary Joji Fukunaga / Netflix, Warner bros intro / Max Steiner, House of Cards / Netflix, Sex Education / Netflix, WSJ, NBC.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From today, under-16s in Australia will be banned from using social media platforms, a world-first. The ban has caused uproar among teenagers and a court case brought by two fifteen year olds is challenging the policy. Will the ban work? And could other countries follow suit? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Bernard Lagan, Australia correspondent, The Times. Poppy, teenager in Australia.Jo Gaeney, parent and teacher in Australia.John Ruddick, Libertarian MP for New South Wales. Host: Manveen Rana.  Producer: Micaela Arneson. Read more: Less than a third of Australian parents will enforce under-16s social media banFurther listening: The AI that could block kids from social mediaClips: 10 News, AFP, 7 News, Sky News Australia. Photo: Adobe Stock.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From former officials jailed after taking bribes to push pro-Putin propaganda, through to local councillors being expelled for offensive tweets, and leader Nigel Farage being accused of high school racism, Reform UK is struggling to stay scandal free. Will the party be able to weather the storm? Or will the waves of allegations start to shift the polls? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Shabnam Grewal, Harry Stott.Read more: Nigel Farage referred to police over Clacton campaign expensesFurther listening: Is Reform ready for power?Clips: BBC, Sky, GB News, LBC, ITV.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Nikolai’s assault unit was told to advance on a Ukrainian position, he decided he’d rather blow up his own arm than continue to fight. Nikolai and two other former Russian soldiers tell The Times about their harrowing experiences at war– and why they decided to flee. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Jack Clover, assistant foreign news editor, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones.  Producer: Micaela Arneson. Read more: ‘I took a grenade blast to escape’: Russian deserters speak out Listen more: A new peace plan, and a critical moment for ZelenskyGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jet engines, the neighbour's lawnmower, traffic noise - it's all terrible for our health. Yet for many years the issue has been dismissed, described as the "poor cousin” of other environmental issues such as litter, air pollution and climate change. So with prolonged noise pollution linked to nearly 1,000 premature deaths in Britain in 2017, why isn't it taken more seriously? How exactly does the daily onslaught of noise affect us? And just why is it so bad for our health?Written and read by: Ben Spencer, Science Editor, The Sunday Times.Producer and sound designer: Dave Creasey.Clips: epidemicsound, BBC.Photo: Getty Images.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new book by New York Magazine’s former star political writer, Olivia Nuzzi, has unleashed a chaotic slew of revelations about her alleged transgressive relationships with wayward politicians — and the US is hooked. But how did this increasingly bizarre he-said she-said story of conflicting accounts unfold? And what does it tell us about the nexus between politics and journalism - between power and those who are supposed to hold it to account in modern America? Guest: Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Dave Creasey.Read more: The Olivia Nuzzi saga is Nora Ephron’s Heartburn for our social media age Brain worms and blue eyes: the RFK love triangle shocking AmericaClips: ABC, The Hill, Siriusxm, NY Post, The Bulwark.Photo: Getty Images.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1980s, the leader of Poland’s Solidarity Movement, campaigning against communism, promised the country’s economy would one day rival Japan. The crowd laughed. Now that dream has become a reality. By the end of this year, Polish living standards are forecast to match those in the Asian economic powerhouse, and Poles across Europe are returning home. So how have they managed it? And will it last?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The TimesAgnes Uba, Polish entrepreneur and returnee.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Harry Stott.Read more: Poland: an economic miracle at the heart of EuropeClips: Netflix / Youtube, BBC, TRT / Youtube, TLDR News EU, Daily Mail / Youtube, Sky.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is announcing an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services. Amid soaring welfare costs and long waiting lists, the government says the system needs to be transformed. But with Streeting previously claiming that some mental health conditions are ‘overdiagnosed’, are the right problems being tackled?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Eleanor Hayward, health editor, The TimesDr Tony Lloyd, counseling psychologist and former CEO of ADHD UKHost: Manveen Rana. Producers: Edward Drummond, Taryn Siegel, Micaela Arneson. Read more: Wes Streeting orders inquiry into mental health ‘overdiagnosis’Further listening: Is ADHD being over-diagnosed?Clips: Sky News, Channel 4 News, Parliament, The Sun, BBC.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday the UN General Assembly met to discuss a plan for Palestinian statehood, two months after President Trump announced his twenty-point peace plan for Israel and Gaza. But has the fighting actually stopped? Is the region any closer to peace? And could Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal trial derail the whole process?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.   Producers: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case. Read more: ‘With or without Netanyahu, Trump will lead us to a two-state solution’Further listening: How Trump's Gaza deal could still unravelClips: WPLG Local 10, Fox, DW News, RTE News, The Guardian, WFAA / YouTube, Middle East Eye, NBC, Yvette Cooper / Twitter.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The arguments over last week’s budget continue; first chancellor Rachel Reeves was accused of misleading MPs and the public over the state of public finances, then the chair of the budget watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, resigned. So how did this row unfold and where does it leave the Prime Minister?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Oliver Wright, policy editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Olivia Case, Shabnam Grewal.Read more: Did Rachel Reeves lie — and will she resign? Further listening: Do bond markets rule the world?Clips: The Telegraph, Times Radio, BBC, parliamentlive.tv, ITV News, Sky News.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2012 Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony went viral thanks to Kony 2012, a documentary about his atrocities. He's been on the run ever since. Today, the son who was groomed to be his father's heir tells his story for the first time.This podcast contains scenes some listeners may find distressing. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Richard Assheton, contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Further listening: Inside Haiti: face to face with the gangs ruling a desperate nation - the Sunday StoryClips: Channel 4, Clevver News, Kony 2012 / Jason Russell / Invisible Children, Inc., The White House / JosephyKony.ogvPhoto: Richard Assheton for The Sunday Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When an Oxbridge professor says his students are “functionally illiterate”, you know something is wrong. With reading levels in freefall and screentime rocketing, is the era of mass literacy over? In his wildly successful blog, James Marriot argues that three centuries after the reading revolution ignited democracy and modern science, we are now witnessing its great undoing. Where once we spent hours poring over books, contemplating complicated theories and ideas, we now scroll emotive, short form content. What effect is this major shift having on our brains? And are we are really at the dawn of the post-literate society?The Sunday Times wants to Get Britain Reading. With our campaign you can:• Donate to Bookbanks to put books in the hands of those most in need• Volunteer to read in schools with Coram Beanstalk• Above all, take our pledge to read for pleasure for at least ten minutes a day for the next six weeksRead more about the campaign.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: James Marriott, Times columnist.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Dave Creasey.Read more:The dawn of the post-literate societyI’m a digital native — can I survive without my smartphone?Photo: Chris McAndrew for The Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oz Pearlman has guessed Joe Rogan's pin number, freaked out Barack Obama, mind-read Howard Stern’s secret afterlife password and left Richard Branson staring into the middle distance. But behind the viral moments is a former Wall Street analyst who insists there’s nothing supernatural in what he does, just psychology, pattern-spotting and a lifetime spent decoding how people think. We dive into the real tricks of the world’s most in-demand "mentalist", the habits that power his $10m career, and why he says you can learn them too.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryWritten by: Michael Odell, interviewer and features writer.Read by: Micaela Arneson and Edward Drummond.Producer: Dave Creasey.Read more: The $10m mind-reader who spooked Barack Obama and Joe RoganClips: The Joe Rogan Experience, SiriusXM, AGT, TedX, GMA.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inaugural conference of Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party takes place this weekend. But what should have been the coronation of the left’s most potent new force has become a shambles. Will they get it together in time to prevent Zack Polanski’s Greens from sweeping up the left vote?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Harry Stott. Read more: Your Party civil war worsens before inaugural conferenceFurther listening: Why Britain’s left is radicalisingClips: New Statesman / Youtube, Zarah Sultana / Youtube, Times Radio, Channel 4, Canary / Youtube, ITV News, LBC, Socialist Telly / Youtube, Owen Jones / Youtube, Novara Media.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After weeks of trailing, flip-flopping, and media briefings, the government finally unveiled its budget. And while there were no real surprises, questions– both practical and existential– remain. Has Rachel Reeves done enough to save her and Keir Starmer’s jobs? And what will it mean for you, the listener? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times, and Rachel Mortimer, deputy money editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.   Producer: Micaela Arneson. Read more: This budget may end up dooming Labour’s election chancesWhat does the budget mean for you?Further listening: The BusinessClips: BBC News, Channel 4 News, ITV News, Sky News, Parliament.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Of the thirteen sub-postmasters thought to have taken their own lives because of the Post Office scandal, only two have been named publicly. Michael Mann was one of them. Our reporter has spoken to his family, former partner and ex-colleagues to tell his story for the first time. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Hugo Daniel, news reporter, the Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Edward Drummond and Shabnam Grewal.Read more: The forgotten postmaster ‘hounded to death’ by investigators Further listening: The Post Office scandal: How a TV drama delivered justiceClips: ITV, Channel 4 News, ITV News, Horizon Inquiry. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prospect of peace in Ukraine may be edging closer, after the leak of a controversial 28-point plan to end the war prompted Ukrainian and Western officials to meet for ‘productive’ talks in Geneva. Is this the beginning of the end? And how does the latest proposal ensure that Russia will not invade again?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Mark Galeotti, Russia expert, writer, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Harry Stott, Micaela Arneson. Read more: Why Trump’s 28-point peace plan may just be a trap for UkraineFurther listening: The girl who was kidnapped by Russia - the Sunday StoryClips: Bloomberg, NBC, BBC, AP, Tucker Carlson / YouTube, Laura Logan / YouTube, Africanews. Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent survey revealed that more than half of 16 to 34-year-olds have taken part in strangulation during sex, despite the risks of a loss of consciousness and stroke. Many feel a rise in choking in pornography is to blame, a practice the UK government is set to ban. Baroness Gabby Bertin has led an independent review which prompted the change in law.This programme contains descriptions of strangulation during sex. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Helen Puttick, reporter, The Times,Samantha Browne, campaigner and former adult performer and,Baroness Gabby Bertin, Conservative peer.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Alula Hart.Read more: Half of young adults have been choked during sex, survey finds Why the woman outlawing violent porn is just getting started Photo: Andrew Farrar for The Sunday Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.