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Today in Focus brings you closer to the Guardian's journalism. Our award-winning morning edition hosted by Helen Pidd, Nosheen Iqbal and Annie Kelly combines on-the-ground reporting, insightful analysis and personal testimony from the people at the heart of the stories that matter, to give you a deeper understanding of the world we live in. And to make sense of a rapidly-changing news cycle, our new evening edition 'The Latest' hosted by Lucy Hough, brings you up to speed on the big news story of the day in just 10 minutes. Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.
1963 Episodes
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In this podcast from 4 April, John Harris speaks to Today in Focus about how music helped him connect with his son, James. Harris tells Helen Pidd what he has learned about the way some autistic people experience music, and how songs opened up the world for James. Plus, they discuss the challenges and stereotypes autistic people still face. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Within months of the death of Lorren’s baby, Journey Moon, and the public backlash against the Free Birth Society (FBS) that followed, Emilee Saldaya took FBS membership private, turning the business into a global multimillion-dollar empire. This is episode four of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
When Lorren Holliday got pregnant in 2018, she joined Emilee Saldaya’s Facebook group and quickly became hooked on the Free Birth Society podcasts. It was a decision that led to tragedy. This is episode three of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
1Who is Emilee Saldaya, the woman behind the Free Birth Society movement? And how did she meet her business partner Yolande Norris-Clark? Do either women have the credentials they are claiming? This is episode two of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Free Birth Society (FBS) was selling pregnant women a simple message. They could exit the medical system and take back their power: by free birthing. But Nicole Garrison believes FBS ideology nearly cost her her life. This is episode one of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
An intergenerational war has broken out with Gen Z mercilessly mocking millennials as embarrassing and out of touch. Chloë Hamilton reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Nicola Slawson on her decision to have a baby with her best friend Tom rather than a romantic partner. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Guardian’s editor-in-chief Katharine Viner looks back on the biggest news stories of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Pastor Munther Isaac talks about his hometown of Bethlehem – the scene of the nativity – celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Today in Focus hears from Guardian journalists all around the world about their most memorable moments – and sounds – of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The US Department of Justice is expected to release files relating to the disgraced late financier and sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, this evening. Jonathan Freedland joins Lucy Hough to discuss why it’s such a big moment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Guardian critics Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Catherine Shoard and Hannah J Davies look back at some of the best (and worst) of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The UK government’s long-awaited strategy to tackle violence against women and girls has been published today. Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough to explain what it will change, amid concerns that ‘toxic ideas’ are going unchallenged in schools. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Santiago-based journalist John Bartlett charts how far-right José Antonio Kast managed to win election by landslide. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Resident doctors in England have begun five days of strike action after rejecting the government’s latest offer to resolve a long-running dispute over pay and jobs. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, met the British Medical Association on Tuesday in a final attempt to reach an agreement, but they failed to agree a deal. It means that resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – will remain on strike until 7am on Monday. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian’s health policy editor, Denis Campbell – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The congresswoman told David Smith about how it feels to be targeted by the world’s most powerful man. But why has Donald Trump gone after her and the Somali community?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The BBC has vowed to defend itself against the $10bn lawsuit that the US president, Donald Trump, filed against it. Trump alleges the broadcaster ‘intentionally, maliciously and deceptively’ edited the speech he gave before the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. On Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.’ Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
When Reform took over 10 local councils in England this summer, it offered the first glimpse of how the party might govern if it were to get into No 10. Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Australia suffered one of the deadliest massacres in its modern history on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish celebration at Bondi beach in Sydney. At least 16 people died, including one of the alleged gunmen, with more than 40 wounded. The victims include a 10-year-old child, a Holocaust survivor and a London-born rabbi. The alleged gunmen behind the attack are a father and son, who are suspected of using legally obtained firearms to commit the massacre. One of the suspects, Naveed Akram, 24, was known to New South Wales police and security agencies. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is facing questions about gun law reform and security failings as the country reels from the attack. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian Australia senior reporter Ben Doherty – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Has east Asia replaced the US as the world’s cultural centre? With Jeff Yang. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
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Justin Webb? I found it hard to listen to him - using that exceedingly annoying inflection in his delivery of nearly every truncated sentence was infuriating. To make it doubly annoying - I know what this man's normal voice sounds like; he's been a respected journalist for years! I had to stop the podcast after about 8 minutes and really couldn't stand any more. Please ask your Presenters to respect their audience enough to speak to us as grown ups - we don't need that inflection. PLEASE.
Iranian's women are the bravest in the world.
A politician being "motivated by money, not ideology" is the worst type of person. At least a true believer has a foundation for what they're doing, while someone being paid off is willing to sell out their country for personal enrichment.
lovely episode- and I am in love with the piano music played in the background!!! Can somebody PLEASE tell me what is the song name and artist?
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Great story. It's inspiring to hear about this important conversation success.
useful information 👍
leftoids crying
Did you say at the end that "journalism doesn't come cheap". I reckon that English journalists who don't have a basic knowledge of English grammar should be pretty cheap. Journalism isn't cheap, or journalism doesn't come cheaply (adding ly to the adverb describing the verb to come), is correct. I wish that Australians like me didn't have to correct the grammar of English people. Good episode though, and no surprise regarding the behavior of your nefarious former prime minister.
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North Korean Troops Sent to Russia Are 'Gorging on Pornography' Published Nov 07, 2024 North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia have reportedly accessed the unrestricted internet for the first time, with many using this newfound freedom to view pornography, according to Financial Times journalist Gideon Rachman.
Academic specializing in racism and immigration says anti immigration is racist
Don't waste half an hour on this. Spoiler alert - slavery was abhorrent, lots of people made lots of money from it and lots of those people were racist. Stating the obvious to score culture war points does not constitute good journalism.
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tnx, you were fair
The guest makes such a good point: without standard vetting for these priceless objects & their provence, looting is encouraged. Add rampant poverty and the recipe for widespread thievery is evident.
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hot
Whew, so glad we learned the important lessons of the 1800s that company towns are great and paternalism provides equal care for all citizens as for the company... 🫠
This episode was absolutely amazing. Thank you.