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Sensemaker

The Observer
Donald Trump
Gaza
Jeffrey Epstein
Mental Health
Climate Change
Israel
Ukraine
Iran
Labour Party
Venezuela
Tiktok
Russia
Keir Starmer
United Kingdom
Hamas
Online Safety Act
Social Media Ban
Australia
Peter Mandelson
London

The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.

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A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week

Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword

Recipes for every occasion

Free tickets to join Obse... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1386Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Climate change and pollutants are making your allergies worse. But could the health consequences of warming weather be even more serious in the future?

Writer: Jonathan Lewis

Producer: Casey Magloire

Host: Jonathan Lewis

Episode photography: Joe ... more

A jury in the US has won a case against Ticketmaster, claiming that they have monopolised the ticketing industry. What does this mean for concert goers? 

Writer, producer and Host: Casey Magloire 

Executive producer: Jasper Corbett 

Clip credit: N... more

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, has announced that his successor will be the company's current head of hardware, John Ternus. But what does his appointment tell us about Apple’s strategy for the future in an industry increasingly invested in AI?

Writer: Madele... more

Keir Starmer finds himself in hot water once again over the appointment of Peter Mandelson. How much danger is he in? 

Reporter: Cat Neilan

Writer: Poppy Bullard

Producer: Casey Magloire

Host: Casey Magloire

Episode photography: Sofia Fenton

Ex... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Olly Robbins
Former top civil servant at the Foreign Office
UK Government
Episode: Why is Keir Starmer on the ropes?
Jeevan Vasagar
The Observer's climate editor
The Observer
Episode: Why is the UK paying to switch off wind energy?
Catherine Kaleidos
research associate at the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge, author of The Fourth Reformation
Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies
Episode: Trump vs the Pope. What does it mean?
John Ungoy-Thomas
Reporter for The Observer
The Observer
Episode: Why do Reform councillors keep quitting the party?
Claudia Joseph
Freelance journalist who revealed Banksy's true identity in 2008
The Mail on Sunday (at the time of the reveal)
Episode: Who really revealed Banksy’s identity?
Dr. Amini
Medical professional quoted about propranolol usage and historical context
Unspecified medical contributor
Episode: Why are beta blockers so popular?
Hannah Schiller
Data reporter and researcher for The Observer
The Observer
Episode: Why are beta blockers so popular?
Dr. Siobhan Jee
Consultant pharmacist
Healthcare
Episode: Why are beta blockers so popular?
Dr. G
Medical professional discussing treatment options for anxiety
Unnamed clinic
Episode: Why are beta blockers so popular?

Hosts

Casey
Host of Sensemaker segment on The Observer network
Ada Barumé
Host of Sensemaker

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 825 ratings
  • Diary of a CEO

    No one is talking about declining birth rates. Everyone is talking about SB suggesting an intervention to get incels laid so they can pass on their surnames. But sure, Sensemaker, miss the whole point again.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Will switch posh men off.
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Too short

    Hi, love the show but feel you always break it off when it gets interesting. Does it have to be so short?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Judith21304
    Austria6 months ago
  • Of course it’s not enough!

    Israel is using starvation as a military tactic.They want Palestinians dead or outside Palestine.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    veganman1961
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • I don’t like The Observer.

    I don’t like the Observer. All those boring privileged columnists moaning about how lucky they are. I stopped listening to the Guardian podcast a few years ago. I really liked Tortoise. It felt like a fresh take and it looked at things differently. I understand the Observer was a loss but I wish it hadn’t come to Tortoise.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Will switch posh men off.
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Too much advertising too short a content

    Im a huge Tortoise fan and listen to everything they produce. But there’s no point in promoting Sensemaker as a less than 10-min curated news content when the content itself represents the smallest portion of the podcast. This is really annoying and frankly misleading fr your listeners.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Molylu
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feel ad breaks interrupt the flow and detract from content.
A few listeners want deeper exploration beyond quick summaries.
Positive feedback for informative guests and clear explanations.
Listeners appreciate the concise, fast-paced briefings.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is shared ownership housing really an affordable option?
Q: Is the government doing anything to better regulate the sector?
Yes, there have been conversations with the housing minister and efforts to get more housing associations to sign up to a formal code, signaling a push for greater oversight and standardized practices.
How is the Iran war affecting our cost of living?
Q: So what is the government doing to ease the strain on households?
The episode notes forthcoming measures like energy bill relief and a price cap designed to provide certainty for bills, with discussions indicating targeted support for those most affected.
Why are maternity services in England in crisis?
Q: So why is maternity care in England so poor?
Testimonies from patients and midwives, alongside the inquiry findings, point to structural issues such as underfunding, poor staffing, and lack of accountability, which together create a culture where concerns are sometimes dismissed and safety is compromised.
Why are maternity services in England in crisis?
Q: After a series of scandals, what is the state of maternity care in the country?
The episode frames it as a deeply troubled system with widespread underinvestment, unsafe working conditions for staff, and a pattern of care failures that disproportionately affect marginalized groups, while noting ongoing inquiries and a commitment to action.
Why is there a blockbuster fight for Warner Bros?
Q: What would a Netflix or Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros. mean for Hollywood?
If Netflix acquires Warner Bros., it would strengthen their position in the streaming market, while a Paramount acquisition would lead to a stronger competitor against Netflix and Disney.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sensemaker

What is Sensemaker about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A daily, compact briefing that translates complex global and domestic affairs into accessible takeaways. Episodes consistently cover geopolitics, economics, immigration policy, public sector issues, and media dynamics, often featuring expert guests and policy-focused analysis. The format tends to mix investigative angles with practical implications for businesses and policymakers, and the show frequently relies on on-the-ground reporting and academic perspectives to illuminate timely issues. Noteworthy is its willingness to spotlight policy failures, industry crises, and regulatory debates through a concise, fast-paced lens, which can be especially valuable for listeners who need fast, smart context for decision-making or pitching guests. P... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Sensemaker?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Sensemaker. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Sensemaker and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Sensemaker get?

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What are the audience demographics for Sensemaker?

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How many subscribers and views does Sensemaker have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Sensemaker has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Sensemaker?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sensemaker:

1. The News Meeting
2. The Slow Newscast
3. The News Agents
4. The Rest Is Politics
5. The Story

How many episodes of Sensemaker are there?

Sensemaker launched 5 years ago and published 1386 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sensemaker?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Sensemaker?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Sensemaker from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Sensemaker?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Sensemaker. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Sensemaker?

Recent guests on Sensemaker include:

1. Olly Robbins
2. Jeevan Vasagar
3. Catherine Kaleidos
4. John Ungoy-Thomas
5. Claudia Joseph
6. Dr. Amini
7. Hannah Schiller
8. Dr. Siobhan Jee

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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