Today in Focus

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Hosted by Anushka Asthana, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining personal storytelling with insightful analysis, Today in Focus is The Guardian's daily podcast that takes you behind the headlines for a deeper understanding of the news, every weekday. 

The Guardian


    • Dec 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 1,751 EPISODES

    4.6 from 634 ratings Listeners of Today in Focus that love the show mention: guardian, royals, iran, violence, favourite, porn, usa, journalism, varied, reporting, trump, presentation, media, white, including, offers, analysis, daily, intelligent, listener.


    Ivy Insights

    The Today in Focus podcast is an exceptional source of in-depth reporting and analysis on a wide range of topics. The podcast stands out for its ability to provide comprehensive coverage and insightful commentary, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking in-depth understanding of current events.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its commitment to thorough reporting. The journalists behind Today in Focus go beyond surface-level coverage, delving into the complexities and nuances of each topic. They conduct interviews with experts, visit relevant locations, and provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. This level of depth sets Today in Focus apart from other news podcasts.

    Another highlight of this podcast is the variety of topics covered. From international affairs to domestic politics, from social issues to cultural phenomena, Today in Focus tackles a wide range of subjects that are both timely and important. This diversity ensures that there's always something new and interesting to learn from each episode.

    However, one area where the podcast could improve is by including more interviews with parents about their role in their children's lives. While the podcast covers a broad range of topics, it often neglects to explore the experiences and perspectives of parents with young children. Including interviews with parents would provide valuable insights into family dynamics and shed light on the challenges and joys of parenting.

    In conclusion, Today in Focus is an outstanding podcast that offers high-quality reporting, insightful analysis, and diverse subject matter. It stands as one of the best sources for in-depth news coverage and provides listeners with a deep understanding of complex issues. Despite some room for improvement regarding parent interviews, this podcast remains a top choice for those seeking informative and engaging journalism.



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    Latest episodes from Today in Focus

    The Birth Keepers: I choose this – episode one

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2025 36:59


    The Free Birth Society was selling pregnant women a simple message. They could exit the medical system and take back their power. By free birthing. But Nicole Garrison believes FBS ideology nearly cost her her life. This is episode one of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne Listen to the full series from The Guardian Investigates podcast. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Exposed: the business linked to baby deaths across the world – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 11:51


    A year-long investigation into the Free Birth Society reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors. Lucy Hough talks to the investigative correspondent Lucy Osborne about her reporting – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Is the far right hijacking Christianity?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 30:09


    Are US-style Christian politics finally taking root in the UK? With Lamorna Ash. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Why is Trump attacking Venezuelan boats? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 11:15


    US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a major escalation of Donald Trump's campaign against the country's president, Nicolás Maduro, whose government called the seizure an act of international piracy. The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny over a series of attacks on boats off the Venezuelan coast. At least 87 people have been killed in 22 known strikes since early September. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian's deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat – Watch on YouTube.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Pete Hegseth unleashes his ‘warrior culture' on the world

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 29:50


    Donald Trump's secretary of war is facing allegations of war crimes and a blistering report into his handling of classified information. Joseph Gedeon reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Will weakening human rights really stop far right? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025 12:16


    Keir Starmer has called on European leaders to urgently reform human rights laws so that member states can take tougher action to protect their borders and see off the rise of the populist right across the continent. But Labour has been condemned by campaigners and MPs who argue these proposals could lead to countries abandoning the world's most vulnerable people and further demonise refugees. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's political editor and host of Politics Weekly, Pippa Crerar – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The social media ban for kids: Australia's world-first experiment – podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025 28:31


    Today in Focus talks to three teenagers, and technology reporter Josh Taylor, about Australia's world-first legislation: a social media ban for under-16s. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Netflix v Paramount: Trump wades into Warner Bros battle – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025 9:45


    The battle to buy Warner Bros Discovery has captured Donald Trump's attention. The US president has said he will be involved in the decision on the company's sale as Netflix and Paramount fight to take over the entertainment company. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian US's deputy business editor, Callum Jones – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Palantir: the world's ‘scariest company'?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025 29:16


    How far will tech firm Palantir go to ‘save the West'? With Michael Steinberger and Johana Bhuiyan. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Trump turns on Europe: will he pull support for Ukraine?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025 10:54


    Donald Trump has loomed large over Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with European leaders, after the US president took aim at the Ukrainian leader once again. It comes in the wake of a new White House national security strategy that has caused fear in Europe, but drawn praise from the Kremlin. Lucy Hough speaks to our Europe correspondent Jon Henley – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Is AI a bubble that's about to pop?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025 23:40


    Should we be worried about the vast amounts of money pouring into AI? And what will happen if the bubble bursts? Blake Montgomery reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Eurovision in crisis? Israel's inclusion causes rift – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2025 11:28


    Several countries are boycotting Eurovision after Israel was cleared to compete in the 2026 song contest despite calls for it to be excluded over the war in Gaza. Lucy Hough speaks to our European culture editor, Philip Oltermann – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The World Cup's Maga makeover

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2025 26:41


    Guardian sportswriter Jonathan Liew on how football went about courting Donald Trump – and how it might regret it when the World Cup comes to the US next summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Can Farage survive racism allegations? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025 9:57


    Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice says allegations of racism from Nigel Farage's school days are ‘made-up twaddle'. Lucy Hough speaks to investigations correspondent Henry Dyer -- Watch Today in Focus: The Latest on YouTube --. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Zack Polanski on the Green party boom

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025 30:46


    Three months into his leadership the Green party membership is surging. Randeep Ramesh explains why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Is Putin really ‘ready for war' with Europe? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2025 12:34


    Vladimir Putin has stalled progress on a peace plan for Ukraine being brokered by Donald Trump's US and has said he is ‘ready for war' with Europe ‘if it starts one'. Luke Harding speaks to Lucy Hough. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The 27-year-old white supremacist radicalising MAGA

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2025 27:46


    Where is Nick Fuentes trying to lead the Republican party? J Oliver Conroy reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Why is Labour scrapping jury trials for some cases? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2025 12:24


    Criminal cases in England and Wales where a prison sentence is likely to be less than three years will be heard by a judge, not a jury, under plans from justice secretary David Lammy. Would it help reduce the backlog in courts? Or could it be purely to save money? Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Your Party: leaderless or just hopeless?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2025 26:16


    Geraldine McKelvie reports from the ground at the inaugural Your Party conference, while Peter Walker talks to a number of insiders about the divisions that have beset the party until now. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Has Rachel Reeves been economical with the truth? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 9:50


    Keir Starmer has been pushed to defend his chancellor after she was accused of lying in the run-up to the autumn budget. Rachel Reeves is alleged to have misled the public by citing bleak economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility to justify tax rises, even though the figures were more positive than she suggested. Lucy Hough is joined by the head of national news, Archie Bland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The women throwing off their hijabs in Tehran

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 28:01


    Social media videos of women riding motorbike and dancing in the streets in the Islamic Republic have gone viral. But after war, and the crushing of the ‘Women, life, freedom' movement what is life really like? Deepa Parent reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The NGO worker on trial for people-smuggling in Lesbos

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2025 31:46


    How is the criminalisation of asylum changing Europe? With Katy Fallon. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Mansions, milkshakes and the minimum wage: Labour's 2025 budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2025 24:47


    After so much buildup, Rachel Reeves has finally unveiled her budget, but will it be enough to turn things around for the government? Our economics editor, Heather Stewart, reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The frantic push to bring peace to Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2025 25:01


    There have been deals and counter deals. But how close has the flurry of diplomacy brought a ceasefire? Pjotr Sauer reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    How Nigel Farage's ‘right-hand man' in Europe was unmasked as a traitor

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2025 29:46


    Nathan Gill was an MEP for the Brexit party and Ukip, and later became Reform UK's leader in Wales. Now he has been jailed for 10 years for taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements. Luke Harding reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    ‘Enshittification': how we got the internet no one asked for

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2025 24:28


    Tech critic Cory Doctorow explains why for so many the internet – from Amazon to Google to Instagram – seems to be getting worse. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Nazi salutes and racism: the allegations about Nigel Farage's school days

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2025 27:07


    Former pupils at Dulwich College have made shocking claims about the Reform leader's behaviour at school – which he denies. Daniel Boffey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Will the public sexual assault of the president mark a turning point for women in Mexico?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2025 22:49


    What will it take to improve women's safety in Mexico? With Estefanía Vela Barba and Ann Deslandes. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Is this Labour's hostile environment?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2025 24:23


    Shabana Mahmood's new immigration plans have been welcomed by Tommy Robinson. Jessica Elgot explains why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Trump's U-turn on the Epstein files

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2025 24:32


    Jonathan Freedland unpacks Donald Trump's latest U-turn over the Epstein files – the one scandal the president just can't seem to shake. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Why Labour is going Danish on immigration

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2025 29:57


    Danish journalist Nilas Heinskou and Syrian refugee Agob Yacoub discuss Denmark's harsh immigration and asylum policies – reportedly the inspiration for changes to be announced by the UK government this week. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The surprising truth about Reform voters

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2025 28:10


    The biggest survey of Reform voters to date reveals unexpected views. Aditya Chakrabortty reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Is Trump going to war with Venezuela?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2025 31:34


    Who is pushing Trump to send the US navy to Venezuela? With Andrew Roth and Tom Phillips. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    How China is trying to silence UK academics

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2025 27:20


    How entangled are China and the UK universities sector? Amy Hawkins reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Why Trump is threatening to sue the BBC for $1bn

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2025 31:40


    The broadcaster's director general and head of news resigned on Sunday night. But were they unforgivable mistakes made or were they victims of an internal coup? Michael Savage reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Cop ahoy! Sailing up the Amazon to the climate summit

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2025 28:09


    Jonathan Watts sets off on a three-day boat trip down the Amazon – with indigenous leaders, scientists, artists and more – to report on Cop30, the climate summit taking place this year in Brazil. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    One man's story inside the siege of El Fasher, Sudan

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2025 33:44


    What does the fall of El Fasher mean for the future of Sudan? Kaamil Ahmed reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    africa siege sudan one man world news middle east and north africa
    The ordinary Britons evacuating children from Gaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2025 37:54


    Majd is one of a handful of injured children from Gaza brought to the UK for urgent medical treatment. But why have there been so few? Nosheen Iqbal reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    On the ground in the refugee and asylum capital of Britain

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2025 30:47


    Helen Pidd heads to Crawley, West Sussex, the place in the UK with the highest number of asylum seekers and supported refugees relative to its population. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    How Zohran Mamdani charmed New York

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2025 31:18


    Guardian US writer Adam Gabbatt and columnist Mehdi Hasan explore how Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani came from nowhere to the brink of becoming mayor of New York City. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    15 minutes of horror in train mass stabbing – Today in Focus Extra

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 10:31


    Guardian senior reporter Ben Quinn on the shocking knife attack on a train from Doncaster to London. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The multi-million pound baby powder case

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 22:55


    Esther Addley reports on a class action suit of more than 3,000 cancer survivors and their loved ones against Johnson & Johnson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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