On a short, freezing walk through New York’s streets, the film-maker discusses the power of narrative, the importance of facts and his own history of telling America’s story to itself

In this episode The Observer's Deputy Comment Editor Erica Wagner speaks to award-winning author Naomi Alderman, as she discusses her latest book, Don't Burn Anyone at the Stake Today.  It's an electrifying exploration of how the digital era is reshaping our world as the internet floods us with knowledge, opinion and misinformation, dividing us and upending our sense of history.  

The White Lotus star on writing novels, practising Buddhism and The Sopranos

In this episode, the Observer's Deputy Comment Editor Erica Wagner speaks to award winning writer, journalist and broadcaster, Afua Hirsh, about her book - Decolonising My Body.  They discuss beauty standards, non-western rituals and celebrating our bodies - and Afua even shares the advice she received from Oprah Winfrey.   

My extraordinarily lucky childhood spent sorting mailbags helped me understand the power of creativity and kindness

In this special episode looking at the first year of US President Donald Trump's second term: What will the impacts of Trump's cuts to USAID be? How has Trump reshaped global politics? Is Trump's power threatened more by grassroots activism than pushback from institutions?   Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer's Deputy Comment Editor, Erica Wagner, Head of Data and Graphics, Katie Riley, and Chatham House's Senior Research Fellow for the Latin America, US and North America Programme, Chris Sabatini.    Buy tickets to the next The News Meeting Live on Thursday, the 29th of January HERE    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Jeevan Vasagar   Producer: Amalie Sortland   Executive Producer: Poppy Bullard   To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

Wreck is a hugely enjoyable novel of tragedy and family in idyllic middle-class America

Will the world turn against AI? Could the England men's team finally win the World Cup? And who is the mysterious backbencher preparing to challenge Keir Starmer? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's consulting editor for comment, Erica Wagner; deputy sports editor, Andrew Butler; and Whitehall editor, Cat Neilan, as they look ahead to the stories set to shape 2026. **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Rebecca Moore   Producer: Casey Magloire and Poppy Bullard   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore   To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

The BBC is struggling to keep hold of big hitters at the very heart of BBC News

The storm caused widespread damage in Jamaica and is making its way to Cuba; is climate change to blame for its power? What - or who - is behind Donald Trump's obsession with Venezuela? Is it good news that a cargo ship has made it through the North East Passage for the first time?   Jeevan Vasagar is joined by the Observer's Erica Wagner, Jessica Hayden and Chloe Hadjimatheou as they pitch their top stories of the day, live from the Observer newsroom.   

The bestselling ‘memoir’ betrayed the trust of readers, according to those in the industry, but at what point should firms turn their backs on a money-spinner?

Two Jewish people were killed in a terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue. Did President Trump and Pete Hegseth cross the line with their inflammatory speeches to military generals? And what's behind the surge in profits at soft toy maker Jellycat?   Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Erica Wagner, John Simpson and Sam Freedman, as they pitch their top story of the day.    

A cocooning hotel writes a love letter to being idle

What did we learn from Trump and Starmer's press conference? Why is Israel invading Gaza City? And what does the suspension of the Jimmy Kimmel show reveal about US press freedom?

It’s time modern cinema got back to what it does best: good old storytelling

Are male novelists a dying breed? Can women trust apps with their personal data? Are tariffs the only way Donald Trump knows how to do diplomacy? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Home Affairs Editor John Simpson, Head of Data and Graphics Katie Riley and Consulting Editor for Comment, Erica Wagner.   

America’s Maga leaders are as gung-ho with their expletives as they are with their geopolitics. This coarsening of public discourse could prove just as dangerous

Made in America shows that Trump’s brutish imperialism is nothing new

Running away from aliens on a strange planet was a thrill, but what really excites me is a new mission to the moon

From George Michael to Jan Morris, and Lena Dunham to Francis Fukuyama, the year ahead is full of bold ideas and big personalities

The TV star has been dropped by his publisher over alleged ‘inappropriate’ behaviour. He may have sold 60m books, but young readers deserve great works, not celebrity landfill fiction

I feel overshadowed with sorrow and exhaustion at the news of the past few hours. This grief is what makes us human, and helps us not give in to hate

Thank goodness for Sondheim. Star Trek’s illogical Netflix exit has left me in need of cultural comforts

For the latest iteration of The Observer Walk, Erica Wagner joins the radio and podcast presenter and her husband on a drizzly stroll through south-east London. Beneath a brolly, they discuss Barnett’s rise from driven child to Today presenter, online abuse and the mood at the BBC – plus the couple’s thriving colouring-book business

The late playwright, who died on Saturday, wrote about difficult subjects with a wit and humanity that informed all his relationships

You race through novels as if your life depends on it – but there’s no guarantee that the “best” book wins

The Canadian novelist’s memoir, Book of Lives, displays the wit, intelligence and complexity that marks her best work

Scott Cooper’s authorised film about the musician may struggle to capture his creative spark