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Today in Focus

The Guardian
Donald Trump
Keir Starmer
Iran
Labour Party
Andy Burnham
The Guardian
United Kingdom
United States
Climate Change
Nigel Farage
Reform UK
Artificial Intelligence
Ukraine
Israel
Strait Of Hormuz
Peter Mandelson
Russia
Cloth Off
Deep Fake Pornography
AI Misuse

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 n... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes724Founded8 years ago
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Daily NewsNews

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Latest Episodes

25 years on from the terror attacks that killed almost 3,000 people in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania, the dark legacy of September 11 continues to unfold in the US and across the world. A throughline can be drawn from that day in 2001... more

The UK foreign secretary has drawn rage and respect after announcing trade sanctions on Israeli settlers. Heather Stewart explains how – and why – Ed Miliband got tough. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="www.theguardian.com/... more

Donald Trump has pledged a payment of $5,000 to every adult American citizen if the Republicans win in the November midterms. The outlandish proposal, which would cost over $1tn, immediately raised legal and ethical concerns. It comes as the presiden... more

Nurse Teun Toebes and filmmaker Jonathan de Jong argue for a radical new approach to treating – and giving freedom to – people with dementia, showcased in their film and book, Human Forever.. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https:... more

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Recent Guests

Damien Gayle
Environment correspondent for The Guardian
The Guardian
Episode: ‘Apocalyptic’ El Niño to unleash extreme weather - The Latest
John Kampfner
Author of Brave New World; commentator on German politics and The Guardian columnist
The Guardian (opinion pages)
Episode: Is Ulrich Siegmund the most dangerous man in Germany?
William Shaw
Novelist known for Westsiders and The Burning Tide
Author
Episode: Tupac’s murder: solved at last?
Jessica Hill
Reporter for the Associated Press
Associated Press
Episode: Tupac’s murder: solved at last?
Charlotte Higgins
The Guardian's chief culture correspondent
The Guardian
Episode: War of words: my language lessons in Ukraine
Olya Makar
Ukrainian language tutor based in western Ukraine
Independent tutor/activist
Episode: War of words: my language lessons in Ukraine
Alex Hern
The Guardian's UK technology editor
The Guardian
Episode: Black Box: episode 6 – Shut it down?
Dr. Joy Buolamwini
Researcher studying AI and its biases
Episode: Black Box: episode 5 – The white mask
Lee Johnson
Restaurant owner from Fish Tail, Montana
Episode: Black Box: episode 4 – Bing and I

Hosts

Michael Safi
Host of Today in Focus; Guardian journalist with extensive reporting on global politics and policy.
Helen Pidd
Co-host/Host of Today in Focus; Guardian journalist covering UK news and investigations.
Annie Kelly
Host of Today in Focus and related Guardian segments; experienced interviewer.
Nosheen Iqbal
Host of The Guardian's Today in Focus; Guardian journalist with broad coverage including environment and politics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 15.8k ratings
  • Great news

    This is a great podcast that provides news that is informative from around the world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Myra Celeba
    United States8 days ago
  • Prioritising Facts Over Geopolitics in Disaster Coverage

    As a registered international reader for over a decade, I am writing to share some constructive feedback regarding a recent episode of the Today in Focus podcast covering the devastating transboundary flash floods along the China-Nepal border. Over the last 10 years, I have deeply valued your publication’s courage, determination to report the truth, and your vital advocacy for climate change awareness. However, the structure and wording of this 11-minute broadcast highlighted a troubling tendenc... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Reader from HK
    United Kingdom15 days ago
  • My daily tonic

    2025: I just love listening to these talented and thoughtful journalists cut through the noise and deliver well-researched reports on the most important stories of the day. I would be quite lost without the Today In Focus podcast. Thank you to the whole production team, from a time poor working mother thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lizziepod13
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Please remove Nosheen Iqbal

    Helen Pidd is such a star, her journalism is always impeccable, and the episodes she conducts are always nuanced and well put together. In stark contrast, Nosheen truly has the emotional and conversational range of a cardboard box. Please find a second Helen Pidd or Michael Safi and replace Nosheen.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    - orange -
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • The Palantir Ep

    Entire Episode source is “trust me bro” could have been a 1 min Ep called “ We DoNt LiKE ThEm beCAusE of PaLEstinE “

    The Guardian thinks your stupid.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    A.bratherton
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate concise yet informative updates and investigations.
The show is praised for balanced, nuanced journalism and in-depth reporting.
Sponsorship choices and ads prompt mixed reactions among listeners.
Audience often calls the journalism essential and reliable for daily briefing.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

‘Apocalyptic’ El Niño to unleash extreme weather - The Latest
Q: So what is the warning from the UN and how serious is it?
The warning indicates an apocalyptic-scale El Niño with widespread and severe impacts on droughts, rainfall patterns, food security, and geopolitics, demanding proactive preparation rather than reactive measures.
On the ground in decimated Nepal flood zone – The Latest
Q: Where were you and what did you see there?
Hannah describes being in Bedur (Bedore) where the river was already rising, rescue teams evacuated people up the hill, and the town showed signs of extreme destruction with many missing and bodies in damaged buildings.
A journey to the frontline of Nepal’s disastrous floods
Q: Can you tell us about Rasua and why you decided to go there despite the dangers?
Hannah explains Rasua was chosen because it sits near the border with Tibet and represents the most hard-to-reach areas where the true toll becomes evident, highlighting how the road network and terrain limited access and visibility into the disaster's scale.
War of words: my language lessons in Ukraine
Q: How has learning Ukrainian affected your reporting and understanding of Ukrainian culture?
It deepened my understanding of Ukrainian culture, allowed me to read poetry, and while my Ukrainian isn't good enough for nuanced journalism, it helps me feel and convey the sounds and textures of the language in reporting.
War of words: my language lessons in Ukraine
Q: What motivated you to learn Ukrainian after your first reporting trip?
I felt there would be something wrong about not being able to understand even a word of Ukrainian, and I wanted to connect more deeply with people and their stories, especially since my work as a culture journalist needed a genuine grasp of the language.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Today in Focus

What is Today in Focus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Investigations and in-depth reporting on timely global and domestic issues are the backbone, with a strong emphasis on on-the-ground storytelling, data-informed analysis, and personal perspectives. Episodes routinely blend political analysis, tech ethics, climate and energy policy, housing and social issues, and investigative journalism, often featuring expert guests, local voices, and frontline reporting. The show stands out for nuanced storytelling, rigorous sourcing, and a willingness to tackle controversial topics and sponsor dynamics in the media landscape. This mix makes it valuable for listeners who want context-rich, thoughtfully moderated conversations about how power, policy, and technology shape everyday life.

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How many subscribers and views does Today in Focus have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Today in Focus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Today in Focus:

1. The Audio Long Read
2. Politics Weekly UK
3. Politics Weekly America
4. Science Weekly
5. The News Agents

How many episodes of Today in Focus are there?

Today in Focus launched 8 years ago and published 724 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 Today in Focus?

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What guests have appeared on Today in Focus?

Recent guests on Today in Focus include:

1. Damien Gayle
2. John Kampfner
3. William Shaw
4. Jessica Hill
5. Charlotte Higgins
6. Olya Makar
7. Alex Hern
8. Dr. Joy Buolamwini

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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