The Story

As Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour comes to the UK, we chart the rise of a shy schoolgirl from Texas who became a record-breaking billionaire. 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: Megan Agnew. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Hannah Varrall. Further reading: The making of Beyoncé — by friends, family and Team Bey insiders Clips: CMA Awards 2016, The Howard Stern Show, YouTube/@bvconcerts, Youtube/@Kamala Harris. Thanks to Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia, Warner Chappell Music, Pulse Publishing Administration, Sony Music Publishing. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government’s Strategic Defence Review has set out a vision for Britain’s defence for the next decade. One of its authors, General Sir Richard Barrons, spoke to Manveen Rana about the threat from Russia, the wars and weapons of the future and how quickly society can collapse. 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: General Sir Richard Barrons, co-author of the Strategic Defence Review 2025. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edward Drummond. Further listening: The rise of killer robots: The future of modern warfare? Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC News, Rusi. Photo: Getty Images/Adobe Stock Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dollar has been the global reserve currency nearly a century. But four months into the new Trump administration, could that be about to 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: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Taryn Siegel. Further reading: Trump’s ‘revenge taxes’ are more dangerous than his trade war Further listening: Why the price of gold is skyrocketing Clips: CNBC, Soar Financially, Forbes Breaking News, MSNBC. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Loyd and the legendary photographer Don McCullin have been to Syria to chronicle the destruction of Palmyra by Islamic State and to see what is changing under the new Syrian regime. Manveen sat down with them at Don’s house in Somerset to reflect on war, loss, friendship — and a remarkable career. 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. Producers: Kizzy Bray and Edward Drummond. Further reading: Don McCullin, 89, returns to Palmyra: ‘This time will be my last’ Clips: Reuters, NY Times. Photo: Anthony Loyd/The Times. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giorgia Meloni has world leaders falling at her feet and the Trump administration in her thrall. But how did she reinvent herself from leader of a minor neo-fascist party to the new political queen of Europe? 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 Kington, The Times correspondent in Rome. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edith Rousselot. Further reading: Stop flirting with Giorgia Meloni! She’s a serious leaderClips: AFP, Atlantic Council, AP News, EU Debates, PBS NewsHour, The Express Tribune. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published last March. Japanese ‘kidults’ revolutionised pop culture in the 90s and 00s, turning to their inner children to cope with economic crisis and post-industrial societal ills, despite being ridiculed. As the milestones of adulthood - property, marriage and careers - become increasingly difficult for millennials and Gen Z to achieve - are westerners now turning to ‘kidulting’ to find answers? 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: Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Sam Chantarasak. Further listening: Studio Ghibli: Is this the end for the Japanese studio that inspired Pixar?The South Korean culture machine that conquered the worldClips: SEGA, Pokémon Theme/POKEMON, MSNBC, CNN, AJ+, Sony, PlayStation, CBS, SXSW, TikTok/@otakuintokyo, TikTok/@kaitlyneats, Your Name/dir. Makoto Shinkai/CoMix Wave Films/Toho. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever been ghosted by a brand after a bad buy? You're not alone. In this episode of Feel Better About Money, we dive under the cushions of luxury sofas gone wrong, and hear about rejected refunds on financed cars, and overseas purchases gone bust. The Times Consumer Champion Kat Denham joins Holly and Lucy to reveal how to fight back when companies say no, and what your rights really are. Plus, some big news from Lucy as she signs off from the show, off to a brand new job! Guest: Katherine Denham, The Times Consumer Champion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since being elected, Donald Trump’s personal fortune has more than doubled, and members of his family are doing well too. The White House says he’s given up a successful business career to serve the country, but critics say he’s cashing in on his position. How has the president made so much money? 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: Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Edward Drummond. Further reading: How presidency saved Trump from ruin and made him a fortune Clips: DAR Global, CNN, Fox News, USA Miracle Center, MSNBC, CNBC, PBS News, Ben Shapiro podcast, The White House, DonaldTrump.com. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s going on inside Labour? After the prime minister’s recent u-turn on winter fuel allowance, a previously fixed policy, and hints of more u-turns to come, it's becoming less and less clear what Labour are offering. A leaked memo implying divisions and unhappiness at the direction of travel means some in the party may be looking at deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, as credible opposition to Keir Starmer. She might also be better placed to take on Nigel Farage. 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: Shabnam Grewal Further reading: Winter fuel U-turn exposes vacuum at heart of No 10 Reform UK local election surge is existential threat to the big two Clips: GBNews, ITV NEWS , SKY NEWS, BBC News, Good Morning Britain , New Statesman, Reform UK Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From its inception at a drunken party seventeen years ago, the second-hand clothing app Vinted is now worth over £4 billion. Nearly sunk by one bad business decision, how did the company reinvent itself and the way we shop today? 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: Sarah Ditum, Contributor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: Antiques boom as the Vinted generation catch the bug Clips: Slush / YouTube, sTARTUPDAy / YouTube. Photo: The Sunday Times. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Sullivan has been released from prison after spending 38 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit. In 1986, 21-year-old Diane Sindall was brutally murdered but it has now been proved that police got the wrong man. DNA found on her body does not belong to Peter Sullivan. Why did it take so long to prove his innocence and is the body that investigates possible miscarriages of justice fit for purpose? 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: Emily Dugan, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Further reading: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/peter-sullivan-miscarriage-justice-07688bqc3 https://www.thetimes.com/article/3f659bf1-d713-437c-9bf3-03a5b65817f7 Clips: Channel 4 News, Court of Appeal, Daily Express, BBC Crimewatch, Justice Committee 29 April 2025. Photo: Merseyside Police. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has announced plans to impose a levy on on American films made outside the country. It's a bold move that could have serious consequences for the global film industry. What do these proposed tariffs mean for the UK film sector, and is this a savvy strategy to revive a struggling Hollywood or just another salvo in Trump’s culture war against liberal America? 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: Host: Jane Mulkerrins Producer: Euan Dawtrey Further reading: ‘A collective capitulation to fear’: How Hollywood bowed to Trump Will James Bond leave Pinewood for LA? UK film industry reacts to Trump Clips: Home Alone 2. © 1992 20th Century Studios. Director: Chris Columbus, The Apprentice. © 2024 Tailored Films. Director: Ali Abbasi, CNN, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Real Time with Bill Maher. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From bleak TV comedies to #mumtok meltdowns, modern motherhood is often portrayed as joyless, exhausting, and even traumatic. How did fear become the dominant narrative around parenting? And what gets lost in the 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/thestory Guest: Alexandra Jones, writer, The Times. Host: Taryn Siegel. Producers: Aaliyah Ahmed and Taryn Siegel. Further reading: Negative tales of motherhood nearly put me off having a babyWhat I wish I’d known before I had kids Clips: Netflix/Motherland, Parliament TV. Photo: Courtesy of Alexandra Jones. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is changing course on the winter fuel allowance - where does it sit in the league table of political U-turns, and will it please anybody? The political masterminds also discuss the Conservative Party's existential polling spiral, why Starmer's approval ratings have fallen so far in the year since the General Election was called, and why Hugo agrees with Polly that babies should get the vote. Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In New York, the P Diddy trial is in its second week. The case centres around ‘freak-offs’ - parties where it’s claimed he forced two ex-girlfriends to engage in sexual acts with male escorts. He denies the claims. As the trial enters its second week, here’s the update. This podcast contains discussions of rape and sexual assault that some listeners may find upsetting. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast, you can visit the Rape Crisis website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ or for domestic abuse, Refuge’s website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ for help and support. 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: Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: My week at the Diddy trial, where laughter gave way to disturbed silenceDiddy went to confront rival with three guns, ex-assistant saysFurther listening: P Diddy on trialThe P Diddy lawsuits: The downfall of a rap legendClips: Instagram / @Diddy, ABC, Fox, BBC, YouTube, NewsweekMag, CourtTV, Diaro As, CNN. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Donald Trump took a tour of the Middle East last week, there was one notable omission from his itinerary - a trip to see America's long term political ally in the region, Israel. Instead, the US President voiced concern for the ongoing famine in Gaza. And now, after days of speculation, Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to dismiss talk of a rift with Israel's military and diplomatic patron. But what caused Trump's patience to snap, and will it change anything for starving Gazans? 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: Gabrielle Weiniger, Tel Aviv-based correspondent for The Times Amal Helles, Reporter at The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Rosie Stopher Further reading: Leaked map shows Israeli proposal to force Gazans into strips of land / Here in Gaza, babies are skin and bone. I fear mine will be too Further listening: Trump’s Gaza Bombshell Clips: Sky News, UK Parliament, Al Jazeera, TRT World Photo: A Gaza soup kitchen, via Getty images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 200 migrants from the US are being held in a high-security prison for terrorists in El Salvador, accused of being gang members. How did El Salvador become the repository for US deportees? And what does the friendship between President Bukele and President Trump tell us about the futures of both countries? 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: Stephen Gibbs, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Taryn Siegel. Further reading: The TikTok beauty influencer shot dead during livestream in Mexico Clips: China Xinhau Español, NBC News, CNN, MSNBC, Guardian News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and is now considering his options for treatment. The physical and mental health of the 82 year old has made the news frequently over the last year or so. In fact, questions about his mental capacity eventually forced him to step aside in favour of Kamala Harris. A new book reveals how Biden’s team kept him away from scrutiny and covered up his declining health. Manveen speaks to The Times’s assistant editor, David Charter, who has interviewed the authors. 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: David Charter, assistant editor (US) of The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Shabnam Grewal. Further reading: The fall of Joe Biden and how his team covered up his decline. ‘Original Sin’ review: How the democrats tried to hide Biden’s decline. Key claims about Joe Biden’s health. Clips: CNN, House Committee on the Judiciary, NBC, MSNBC. Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 has been one of the hardest to compile in recent years, thanks in large part to President Trump's tariffs. But it’s another government’s policies that the rich listers cite as their biggest concern. Why are the top 1% of earners so angry? 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: Robert Watts, compiler of The Sunday Times Rich List Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Rosie Stopher Further reading: How the Sunday Times Rich List 2025 was compiled / The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 revealed Clips: BBC, Times Radio, UK Parliament Photo: Richard Pohle for Times Media Ltd Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in January. Elon Musk has unleashed a huge political row in the UK over whether there should be a national inquiry into the gangs that groomed young girls for rape in a number of Britain's northern towns. But whilst the world's richest man accused the 'legacy media' of a cover-up, the scandal was actually exposed by Times journalist Andrew Norfolk. So how did he uncover the shocking story? And has enough been done to make sure it never happens 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/thestory Guest: Andrew Norfolk, former Chief Investigations Reporter, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Emily Webb. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Image: The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.