
Deputy Head of Audio
Matt is the deputy head of audio at The Observer. He previously oversaw the weekly investigative podcast The Slow Newscast, and formerly worked at the BBC.

Matt Russell
Deputy Head of Audio
Matt is the deputy head of audio at The Observer. He previously oversaw the weekly investigative podcast The Slow Newscast, and formerly worked at the BBC.

Will the next men's football World Cup be the most politically tense in history? Did we learn anything from the latest round of peace talks between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's envoys? Is overdiagnosis of conditions like Autism and ADHD leading to worse outcomes for neurodiverse people? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Ides and Comment Editor Alex O'Connell, Deputy Sports Editor Andrew Butler, and journalist and author Julia Ioffe as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day. Buy Julia Ioffe's book from the Observer Bookshop: Motherland **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: Matt Russell 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
30 min • S1, E293

A recent survey by the Key Cities group found that 60% of their member councils - which include places like Bath, Hull and Medway in Kent - were planning on selling off things like shopping arcades and social clubs to pay for the rising costs of social care. Host: Ada Barume Writer: Becky Pinnington and Poppy Bullard Producer: Madeleine Parr Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russel
7 min • S1, E1246

In the weeks since the ceasefire was agreed, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and more than 600 injured, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Host: Ada Barumé Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell
9 min • S1, E1242

This weekend, European leaders were scrambling to prevent US President Donald Trump from forcing Ukraine to sign a peace deal widely viewed as favourable to Russia. Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Matt Russell
10 min • S1, E1241

Qian Zhimin has been dubbed the cryptoqueen after UK Police discovered she had approximately £5 billion of stolen investments. But how was she caught? Host: Ada Barumé Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Amalie Sortland Reporters: Poppy Sebag-Montefiore and Phoebe Davis Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell
7 min • S1, E1237

Young people are moving on from online influencer Andrew Tate. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell
6 min • S1, E1232

Why are so many prisoners being released from prison by mistake? What happens if Arts Council England goes under? And what can the Democrats learn from Mamdani's New York City mayoral election victory? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Deputy Sports Editor, Andrew Butler, Arts and Media Editor, Vanessa Thorpe, and reporter Jon Ungoed-Thomas as they pitch their top stories of the day. Must Reads: Days of wine and noses: the life of a critic: https://observer.co.uk/style/food/article/days-of-wine-and-noses-the-life-of-a-critic **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: Amalie Sortland Executive Producers: Matt Russell and 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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
34 min • S1, E285

Over the summer, Epping, a small town on the outskirts of London became the scene of mass protests featuring hundreds of people. Noisy and occasionally violent, the demonstrations attracted crowds from around the country and plenty of media attention. But what really happened in Epping and what does it tell us about where the right in Britain is heading?
25 min • S1, E331

In 2026, the UK government will decide whether to end terrestrial TV. Host: Katie Gunning Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell
6 min • S1, E1226

What do we do with the knowledge that climate change made Hurricane Melissa worse? Why was there such a deadly police raid in Brazil? And why isn't hospice care treated as an essential part of healthcare? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Data and Graphics editor, Katie Riley, and reporters James Tapper and Rachael Healy, as they pitch their top stories of the day. Must Reads: Some People Can't See Mental Images Political Beliefs Dating App Experiment Premiere League **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: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Matt Russel
37 min • S1, E283

US President Donald Trump's peace plan says Gaza will be for the Gazans, but a few miles from the strip's border, a small number of Israeli settlers are waiting to move in.
8 min • S1, E1222

From Madagascar to Nepal, young people are leading protest movements that are shaking the foundations of power. What's fuelling this global wave of unrest – and can it lead to lasting change?
7 min • S1, E1217

As more and more people turn to AI for news, how should journalists fight back and protect the human by-line? Will Donald Trump's cosy relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino allow him to dictate which cities the World Cup will be held in the US? Will the British Museum win its £3.5 million battle to keep a rare gold Tudor Heart pendant? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Alex O'Connell, Vanessa Thorpe and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they pitch their top story of the day.
30 min • S1, E278

In the past five years, more than 800 late night venues have shut their doors. At this rate there are warnings that there could be no nightclubs left by 2029. If you want to listen to more about the struggles facing UK nightlife, listen to The Observer's podcast We Have Notes HERE. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore
6 min • S1, E1212

Will Afghanistan get the aid it needs? Is China the new America when it comes to globalisation? Could a lawsuit from a dark corner of the internet affect the Online Safety Act? Rebecca Moore is joined by Observer reporters Stephen Armstrong, Phoebe Davis and Bex Sander as they pitch their stop stories of the day.
32 min • S1, E264

The number of teenage boys killed on our streets has more than doubled in a decade. This is the story of a mother trying to stop it, while dealing with grief and anger for her son.
40 min • S1, E320

Will Zelensky find any success with Trump, in the wake of the Alaska Summit? What does the militarisation of Washington DC tell us about America's political direction? And why are MPs making TikToks? Rebecca Moore is joined by the Financial Times' Working It Editor Isabel Berwick, Plus The Observer's Katie Riley and Stephen Armstrong, as each try to pitch the top story of the day.
31 min • S1, E261

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

As the UK Parliament takes its summer break, has Reform seized the media spotlight and emerged as a viable third-party contender? What are the risks of uploading ID to age-restricted websites under the Online Safety Act? Will Trump impose his peace deal deadline on Russia if Putin refuses negotiations? Rebecca Moore is joined by The New Statesman's Associate Political Editor, Rachel Cunliffe. Plus the Observer's Poppy Bullard and Patricia Clarke, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.
34 min • S1, E257

Is the UK's decision to conditionally recognise the state of Palestine more symbolic than practical? As protests in Epping continue, how is rhetoric around asylum seekers impacting children from ethnic minority backgrounds? Now that the Lionesses have won the Euros for a second time, is this confirmation that the hard work put into the women's game has paid off? Giles Whittell is joined by ITV News Presenter and Loose Women panellist Charlene White. Plus, the Observer's narrative editor Chloe Hadjimatheou and Deputy Sports Editor, Andrew Butler.
34 min • S1, E255