
Executive Editor, Tortoise Studios

Jasper Corbett
Executive Editor, Tortoise Studios

New US trade tariffs will come into force on 1 February until Denmark relents
Sat, 17 Jan 2026

Tens of thousands of people in South East England have been without water for days. What's gone wrong and how much is the water company South East Water, to blame? Host: Casey Magloire Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett
8 min • S1, E1280

Nicolás Maduro’s former No 2 must tread a fine line between appeasing hardliners and placating US demands for oil
Mon, 5 Jan 2026

We are baaaccck! This week we talk to Chloe Hadjimatheou, the Observer journalist behind the viral investigation into the Salt Path. She dishes on all the behind the scenes details of her new podcast series - The Walkers: The Real Salt Path. Observer subscribers can listen to all episodes HERE. Award season is in full swing and we have noticed a trend … a lot of the top film nominees are about dads. One Battle After Another, Hamnet, Sentimental Value, even Marty Supreme! We speak to the Observer's Olivia Ovenden and ask why is Hollywood so obsessed with putting fathers on film? Watch full episodes on YouTube - HERE Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here's what's on their radar this week: Liv: Deborah Levy - Cost of Living, Hot Milk and ‘Reality was so dull. Bowie gave us glitter' (for The Observer) Joy Gregory's Catching Flies with Honey exhibition Kerry James Marshall's The Histories exhibition Miranda: Peaches' new album - No Lube So Rude (coming soon) More details on everything we chatted about in this episode! Read Chloe's Salt Path Investigation HERE Listen to Chloe's new podcast series, The Walkers: The Real Salt Path HERE Raynor Winn's response to the Observer's investigation HERE Read Olivia's article: How daddy issues took over this year's Oscars race HERE Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer's New Review HERE Let's chat! Send us your voice notes! @WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram @WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok wehavenotes@observer.co.uk via email
53 min • S2, E1

Banning under 16s will test whether age laws are enforceable or beneficial
Fri, 28 Nov 2025

How can we tell what's really happening on the ground in Iran? Why are murder rates falling in London? And are ICE agents immune from legal accountability? Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer reporters Hannah Schuller, Stephen Armstrong and Serena Cesareo to battle out who can pitch the story that should lead the news. Please come and see us at the next The News Meeting Live on Thursday, the 29th of January: https://observer.co.uk/our-events/the-news-meeting-live-7 **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: Jasper Corbett Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Katie Gunning 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
33 min • S1, E303

A new podcast series from Sky News and Tortoise examines what might happen in the event of an attack on Britain
Tue, 10 Jun 2025

How did the seizure of a Russian oil tanker unfold? Is President Trump's crypto-profeteering a bigger scandal than Watergate? And with the United States turning 250, is this a time to reflect on the UK-US special relationship? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Vanessa Thorpe and James Tapper, plus special guest - the host of The Making of Musk: Understood, Jacob Silverman. Today they battle it out to see who can pitch the story that should lead the news. You can find Understood wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/NewsMeetingxMoM
30 min • S1, E302

Conservative and Reform MPs are calling for the British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah to be stripped of his citizenship. At the same time Shamima Begum, who joined Islamic State, is fighting to have hers reinstated. How and why does the government revoke citizenship?
9 min • S1, E1273

After attacking Venezuela Donald Trump has suggested he might target Colombia and Cuba, and he wants to get his hands on Greenland too. Host: Andrew Butler Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett
8 min • S1, E1272

Will captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro get a fair trial in the US? Who is driving American foreign policy? How would Trump's supporters view a military campaign? Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer's Washington Correspondent Hugh Tomlinson, Reporter Phoebe Davis, and lawyer Robert McWhirter as they give their assessment on the situation in Venezuela. **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: Jasper Corbett Producer: Poppy Bullard Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett 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
25 min • S1, E301

Netflix and Paramount are in a bidding war to buy Warner Bros. What would they be buying and what might that mean for the entertainment industry? Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Amalie Sortland Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett
7 min • S1, E1253

Did international tourists go on “sniper safaris” to Sarajevo during the siege in the mid-nineties? Why do some campaigners want to halt the new medical trial into the use of puberty blockers? What lies behind renewed efforts to find a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Stephen Armstrong, Bex Sander and Francisco Garcia, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day. **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: Poppy Bullard Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett 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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
29 min • S1, E289

Will there be any voter suppression in Tuesday's US elections? Why did a British university prevent one of its academics from researching human rights abuses in China? Are Sudan's rebels using British-made equipment on the battlefield? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Data and Graphics editor, Katie Riley, Senior Audio Producer Katie Gunning, and Senior Researcher Serena Cesareo as they pitch their top stories of the day Must Reads: She Was Ready To Have Her 15th Child. Then The Felony Charges Began. The Great Ghosting Paradox The Cocaine Kingpin Living It Large In Dubai Assata Shakur Obituary **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: Giles Whitell Producer: Poppy Bullard Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett 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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
34 min • S1, E284

Talks are underway in Egypt to try and secure an end to Israel's war on Gaza. For the first time in two years the sides might agree to end the conflict. Under a US proposal former British PM, Tony Blair, who is a divisive figure in the region, would have a major role overseeing the peace process.
6 min • S1, E1207

Colonel Hassan Ali Nur Shuute is giving Somali social media users a unique insight into the country's war on terror.
5 min • S1, E1187

What does the recent cabinet reshuffle tell us about the new direction of the Labour party and the government?
8 min • S1, E1186

The St George's cross is flying from lampposts and motorway bridges across England – but who is responsible for putting them there?
6 min • S1, E1184

A Palestinian activist, shot by an Israeli settler, filmed his own death. The Israeli authorities have said the settler, who runs an outpost in the occupied West Bank, will not face charges.
9 min • S1, E1168

The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on the police to release more information about alleged criminals, such as their immigration status and ethnicity.
7 min • S1, E1167

What proof has Israel provided to support their claim that Anas al Sharif ran a Hamas cell in Gaza? Why has the partnership between Premier League Football and Stonewall ended? And will Putin's visit to the US bring an end to the war in Ukraine? Giles Whittell is joined by NPR's International Correspondent, Lauren Frayer. Plus the Observer's Serena Cesareo and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.
36 min • S1, E259

The renowned Oloffson Hotel in Port-au-Prince, that attracted artists, celebrities and journalists for more than a century has been burned to the ground by criminal gangs.
9 min • S1, E1166

Israel has initiated daily pauses in its military operations - to allow more aid to get into Gaza. But how much aid is getting through and will it be enough for the Palestinians who rely on it?
7 min • S1, E1158

Are Labour's concerns about social cohesion a sign that they may be aligning with some of Reforms ideas on immigration? Why does Kemi Badenoch want to outlaw doctors' strikes? And are the latest aid drops in Gaza a sign of change to come? Jasper Corbett is joined by journalist and broadcaster David Aaronovitch. Plus, the Observer reporter Stephen Armstrong and senior producer Katie Gunning.
28 min • S1, E254