The Story

Sandie Peggie vs NHS Fife, the employment tribunal that gripped the nation last February, resumed this week. It all started after nurse Sandie Peggie objected to sharing a changing room with Dr Beth Upton, who is transgender. 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: Daniel Sanderson, Scottish Political Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Taryn Siegel. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, the British government used a court superinjunction to conceal a data leak that could have handed the Taliban a “kill list” of innocent civilians. Times defence editor Larisa Brown describes her fight to uncover the truth. 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: Larisa Brown, Defence Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edward Drummond. Further reading: I investigated the Afghan data leak. Ministers were gambling with deathRevealed: Leak that risked lives of 100,000 Afghans — and £7bn cover-upInside Operation Rubific: ‘kill list’, secrecy and a rescue missionFurther listening: 'The Taliban will kill me': The interpreter trying to flee Kabul Clips: Times Radio, LBC, Parliament. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The self-styled "cheeky greengrocer" and MasterChef host has been sacked by the BBC after an inquiry substantiated dozens of complaints. So how did we get here and why is the BBC in this position 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: Alex Farber, Media Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: Gregg Wallace: I never set out to harm or humiliate. Clips: PBS Newshour, ITV, Sky, Channel 4, BBC, The Sun, Times Radio, Channel 5, YouTube / Visit York, Instagram / @greggwallace, Masterchef / Endemol Shine Group / Banijay. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New figures show the beauty industry is growing four times faster than the wider economy. The fastest growth is in beauty services and non-invasive treatments. These ‘injectables’ that freeze or fill your face are becoming more and more mainstream in the UK, even among women in their early 20s. Meanwhile, more celebrities than ever are admitting to going under the knife (or needle) and breaking the long-held taboo. How did we get here, and what does it say about the changing face of beauty? 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: Anna Murphy, Fashion Director, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Hannah Varrall. Further reading: This is how I’d look with tweakments — but I’d never freeze my face Further listening: The Rise and Rise of Botox Clips: Snow White (2025) (Disney), TikTok @RachLeary, Access Hollywood, The Kelly Clarkson show, Better Together with Maria Menounos, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Miss Me (BBC Sounds), TikTok @4ll3gr4a, TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Kristie De Garis moved two male companions into her house in rural Scotland, her neighbours assumed they were a throuple. The truth was even more unusual: she was setting up home with her exes. 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. Photo: Courtesy of Kristie De Garis. Drystone: A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis (Polygon, £14.99) is published on August 7. To order, go to timesbookshop.co.uk or call 020 3176 2935. Free UK P&P on online orders over £25. Discount for Times+ members. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the political masterminds consider what's happening on the populist left and right, with more Tories defecting to Reform UK and talk of a new party led by Jeremy Corbyn. How small has the Conservative coalition become, do the voters expect Keir Starmer to wield a 'magic wand', and what would a new party be called? Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the FBI investigation that Trump promised would reveal all about Jeffrey Epstein concluded there was no evidence to implicate anyone else in his abuse. But diaries from Epstein’s most prominent victim, Virginia Giuffre, released exclusively to The Times, tell a different story. 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: Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Anna Dowell. Further reading: Jeffrey Epstein victim’s diary ‘contradicts’ FBI blackmail claims. Clips: MSNBC, Sky News Australia, The Dan Bongino Show, The Washington Examiner, ABC News, Tucker Carlson, Breaking Points. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With people around the world calling for a lasting peace in Gaza, Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu has been schmoozing US President Donald Trump. What chance is there that the two will bring an end to the bloody conflict? And what hope that any peace will hold? 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, Israel Correspondent, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Shabnam Grewal. Further reading: IDF defies Netanyahu’s plan for ‘humanitarian city’ in Gaza Clips: AP, Reuters, Fox News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over 100 people, including dozens of children, are dead after flash flooding in Texas. Could this have been avoided given a nearly identical tragedy took place in 1987? Did Trump’s cuts contribute? And what went wrong with the flood warning system? 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: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: Where is it flooding in Texas? The devastation in maps and video. Clips: NewsNation, France 24, KPRC 2, CBS, YouTube / History Corner, KVUE, FOX, YouTube / Camp Mystic, YouTube / Allie Coates, Democracy Now!, YouTube / Meidas Touch, Bloomberg, WOAI, Sky, WUSA9. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three relatives by lacing their beef wellington with death cap mushrooms. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder a fourth person. The prosecution said she did it on purpose; she says it was an accident. It took a jury in Australia six days to reach a verdict after listening to 40 days of extraordinary evidence. 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: Bernard Lagan, Australia Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edith Rousselot. Further reading: How Erin Patterson became the mushroom murderer Erin Patterson found guilty of murder in death cap mushroom trial Clips: 9 News Australia, The Australian. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty years after the 7/7 London bombings killed 52 people, what’s changed since the deadly suicide attack? Thelma Stober suffered life-changing injuries that morning and former police officer David Skiffins spent the weeks after working underground to recover the bodies of those murdered. They describe what happened and how it changed their lives. 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. Producer: Edward Drummond. Further reading: 7/7: ‘There was a white light. I looked around and saw bodies’‘I spoke to victims of 7/7 as I retrieved their bodies’Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poison is the podcast series behind the new two-part TV documentary 'Poisoned', which airs on Channel 4 this Wednesday, 9 July and Thursday, 10 July. 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. Part One: In October 2021, David Parfett’s 22-year-old son, Tom, took his own life. Listen to the full series: Poison. Further reading: The moment I confronted the poison poster who is accused of 14 murders Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide or needs to talk to someone, please get in contact with the Samaritans online or call them for free on their 24-hour helpline 116 123. Host: James Beal, Deputy Investigations Editor, The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick and Tom unpack a troubling question - are we entering a third nuclear age? With Iran’s nuclear programme back in the headlines and countries like Poland and South Korea considering building nuclear weapons of their own, the old global order is clearly shifting. Patrick and Tom explore what this means for global security, and whether nuclear proliferation is set to become the new normal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trading blows again after Musk criticised the President’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax and spending bill. Trump has threatened to deport the world’s richest man and set his Doge 'monster' on him. So why does Musk hate the bill, and could this push him to set up a political party to challenge his new rival? 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: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: Tesla sales go into reverse in fresh blow for Elon Musk Clips: Fox, New York Post, MSNBC, BBC, United States Senate, CNN, ABC, AP, WCNC. Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I’ll just go and get some fresh seed” - we reveal growing concerns about mass sperm donation. One man found his father ran a corrupt fertility clinic, providing patients with samples of his own sperm. Another man discovered he has 50 children all over Europe. There has been at least one case of accidental incest. The growing scandal has provoked widespread horror in the Netherlands. 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: Senay Boztas Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Shabnam Grewal Further reading: I am a father of 50 children, a new one gets in touch almost every week Clips: WSJ.com, Times Radio, The Immaculate Deception - Somethin’ Else/ Sony Music Entertainment, Bloomberg, Youtube.com/@masteringknowledge Photo: Getty images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From dynamic pricing and VIP packages to ‘priority entry’, there seem to be more ways than ever to squeeze money out of music fans - and that’s not even to mention the sky-rocketing cost of a basic standing ticket. The Times' Jonathan Dean has been investigating why the cost of seeing some of our favourite artists has gone stratospheric, and whether the company Live Nation is to blame. 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: Jonathan Dean Host: Luke Jones Producer: Hannah Varrall Further reading: How did Beyoncé tour tickets go from a small fortune to $25 each? Johnny Depp: ‘I was a crash test dummy for MeToo' Further listening: The making of Beyoncé – by friends, family and Team Bey insiders Music: Bad Guy by Billie Eilish (written by Finneas O’Connell, Billie Eilish O’Connell, published by Darkroom/Interscope Records, Kobalt Music Publishing) Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses (written by Duff McKagan, Jeffrey Isbell, Saul Hudson, Steven Adler, W. Axl Rose, published by Guns N Roses P&D) 505 by The Arctic Monkeys (written by Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys, published by Domino Recording Co) Clips: Sky News, This Morning (ITV), BBC News, Channel 4 News, Adam Webb from FanFair Alliance, Reg Walker, ABC News, CBS News, The Cure (YouTube), BBC Music (YouTube) Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the most contentious week of Keir Starmer’s premiership so far, MPs will gather in the House of Commons later today to vote on the controversial benefits bill. Has the rebellion been effectively squashed? Or is this only the beginning? 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: Taryn Siegel. Clips: Sky News, BBC Parliament, Guardian News, Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers/Freezing this Christmas, The London Standard, TalkTV, ITV/This Morning, Channel 4 News, Times Radio. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani will be officially confirmed as the Democratic Party candidate for New York mayor, putting him in pole position to land the role in November. His win caused a political earthquake in America, personifying questions over the future direction of the party. So who is this fresh new face of the Democratic party, and what does his rise tell us about the increasing popularity of left-wing economics? 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: Manveen Rana Producer: Hannah Varrall Further reading: What Zohran Mamdani’s win means for the Democratic Party Further listening: Why the dollar is crashing – and why you should care Clips: Pod Save America, Odd Lots (Bloomberg Podcasts), UNFTR Media, @HasanAbi (YouTube), @ZohranforNYC (YouTube), @mr.cardamom896 (YouTube), Eyewitness NewsABC7NY, CNN, MSNBC, PIX11 News, Fox 5 New York, @Zohran-k-Mamdani (TikTok), NBC News, C-Span2 Book tv, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, @JVPAction (Instagram), @emrata (Instagram), @BloombergTV (X) Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in February. In 2016, 24-year-old Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was sentenced to 10 years in the US State of Missouri, for arranging the murder of her mother. Her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, had Munchausen syndrome by proxy - a rare form of abuse where she would convince doctors that her daughter was ill - leading to unnecessary treatment. The harrowing details of what Blanchard went through have made her a media sensation - but should we feel sympathy for her? 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: Katie Gatens, Deputy Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Samantha Chantarasak. Further reading: Read Katie's full interview with Gypsy-Rose Blanchard Clips: KY3 News, The Act/Hulu, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard/Lifetime, The Kardashians/Hulu. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny meets up with Alex Blania, the CEO and one of the co-founders, alongside Sam Altman, of Tools for Humanity. Their project Worldcoin, aims to help us weed out AI imitators by verifying humans online. All you have to do is scan your iris on one of their orbs to get a unique biometric ID and some cryptocurrency. Danny and Katie also take on Tesla’s robotaxi rollout, and question whether it's right and proper for humans to fall in love with AI bots? Spoiler alert! The answer is probably not, for both your sakes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.