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 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.
weekdays
weekdays
weekdays
infrequent
infrequent
infrequent
infrequent
infrequent
infrequent
Its agents outnumber police on the streets of Minneapolis, are detaining US citizens and clashing violently with protesters. Caitlin Dickerson and Maanvi Singh report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Robert Jenrick has been sensationally sacked from the shadow cabinet and suspended from the Conservative party after Kemi Badenoch said she was presented with ‘irrefutable evidence' that he was planning to defect. The shadow justice secretary was Badenoch's leadership rival and had long been said to have been prepared to do a deal with Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What kind of life is the deposed former president of Syria and his family living in Russia? With Pjotr Sauer and Will Christou. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Protesters face execution as the Iranian regime continues its violent crackdown, defying the US president, Donald Trump, who has threatened ‘very strong action' if demonstrators are killed. Erfan Soltani, 26, is the first protester to be sentenced to death, but it is unclear whether or not his execution has taken place. Lucy Hough speaks to journalist Deepa Parent about what she is hearing from those inside Iran – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How far will Rubio go to achieve his own objectives? With Lauren Gambino. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The UK government is threatening Elon Musk's X with the nuclear option: a ban. The social media platform is under pressure from ministers over the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images of women and children to remove their clothes. Ofcom, the UK's media regulator, has launched an investigation into X – and the government says it will support a ban if it decides to press ahead. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's senior national editor Aaron Sharp. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Protests have rocked Iran, a brutal crackdown is under way and Trump has threatened to intervene. Ellie Geranmayeh on a dangerous moment for the country's leaders. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Donald Trump has promised he will ‘shoot at Iran' if Iranian security services attack anti-government protesters, but analysts suggest the US is not prepared for military action. It comes as the death toll from Tehran's crackdown on protests soars, and as demonstrations continue to shake the country. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Writer Katherine May talks about ‘wintering' and learning to love the darkest months of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Iran has vowed it will ‘not back down' in the face of growing nationwide protests over economic conditions. Thousands of people marched through the streets of Tehran, calling for political reform and torching government buildings. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has signalled that a greater crackdown is coming after the country plunged into an internet blackout. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's deputy head of international news Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Ashley St Clair – a conservative influencer and former partner of Elon Musk – and Dan Milmo chart the scandal over Grok, X's AI chatbot, after it generated sexualised images of women without their consent. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Protests have been taking place across the US after the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer taking part in the Trump administration's latest immigration crackdown. Video of the moment the Minnesota woman Renee Nicole Good was shot has been shared widely online, sparking demonstrations and vigils. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian US southern bureau chief Oliver Laughland – watch on YouTube This episode contains strong language from the start. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Which forces are vying for power now that Nicolás Maduro has been removed from Venezuela? With Tom Phillips. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The US has dramatically seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker between the UK and Iceland, with the support of the UK government. The operation comes after US attacks on Venezuela, the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro, and threats against Greenland. Lucy Hough speaks to Russian affairs correspondent Pjotr Sauer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Three activists awaiting trial are refusing food and their health is failing rapidly. Will the government intervene? Haroon Siddique reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
After the removal of Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, there are fears Donald Trump could turn his sights to Greenland, after he renewed his calls for the US to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory. While European leaders convened in Paris and rallied behind Denmark, one of Trump's top aides ramped up the pressure by questioning Copenhagen's claim to the Arctic territory Lucy Hough talks to Jon Henley, the Guardian's Europe correspondent – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What is the UK government planning for young people? With Emma Warren. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was controversially captured by US special forces and has appeared in a Manhattan court. The arrest came after months of US pressure against Maduro, including attacks on ‘narco-boats' and blockades on oil tankers. Donald Trump has since claimed the US is going to ‘run' Venezuela - but how?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was captured, flown to the US and is facing trial in New York. What does it mean for the country – and the world?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
A backlash against the Free Birth Society intensifies and Emilee and Yolande respond to the crisis. This is episode six of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Emilee and Yolande had created an ideology and then seeded it globally – a reach Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne could not have fathomed when they began reporting on the story. They set out to trace just how far FBS has spread. This is episode five of a year-long investigation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
In this podcast from 4 April, John Harris speaks to Today in Focus about how music helped him connect with his son, James. Harris tells Helen Pidd what he has learned about the way some autistic people experience music, and how songs opened up the world for James. Plus, they discuss the challenges and stereotypes autistic people still face. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Within months of the death of Lorren's baby, Journey Moon, and the public backlash against the Free Birth Society (FBS) that followed, Emilee Saldaya took FBS membership private, turning the business into a global multimillion-dollar empire. This is episode four of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
When Lorren Holliday got pregnant in 2018, she joined Emilee Saldaya's Facebook group and quickly became hooked on the Free Birth Society podcasts. It was a decision that led to tragedy. This is episode three of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Who is Emilee Saldaya, the woman behind the Free Birth Society movement? And how did she meet her business partner Yolande Norris-Clark? Do either women have the credentials they are claiming? This is episode two of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Free Birth Society (FBS) 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. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
An intergenerational war has broken out with Gen Z mercilessly mocking millennials as embarrassing and out of touch. Chloë Hamilton reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Nicola Slawson on her decision to have a baby with her best friend Tom rather than a romantic partner. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Guardian's editor-in-chief Katharine Viner looks back on the biggest news stories of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Pastor Munther Isaac talks about his hometown of Bethlehem – the scene of the nativity – celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Today in Focus hears from Guardian journalists all around the world about their most memorable moments – and sounds – of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The US Department of Justice is expected to release files relating to the disgraced late financier and sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, this evening. Jonathan Freedland joins Lucy Hough to discuss why it's such a big moment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Guardian critics Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Catherine Shoard and Hannah J Davies look back at some of the best (and worst) of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The UK government's long-awaited strategy to tackle violence against women and girls has been published today. Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough to explain what it will change, amid concerns that ‘toxic ideas' are going unchallenged in schools. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Santiago-based journalist John Bartlett charts how far-right José Antonio Kast managed to win election by landslide. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Resident doctors in England have begun five days of strike action after rejecting the government's latest offer to resolve a long-running dispute over pay and jobs. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, met the British Medical Association on Tuesday in a final attempt to reach an agreement, but they failed to agree a deal. It means that resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – will remain on strike until 7am on Monday. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian's health policy editor, Denis Campbell – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The congresswoman told David Smith about how it feels to be targeted by the world's most powerful man. But why has Donald Trump gone after her and the Somali community?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The BBC has vowed to defend itself against the $10bn lawsuit that the US president, Donald Trump, filed against it. Trump alleges the broadcaster ‘intentionally, maliciously and deceptively' edited the speech he gave before the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. On Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.' Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
When Reform took over 10 local councils in England this summer, it offered the first glimpse of how the party might govern if it were to get into No 10. Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Australia suffered one of the deadliest massacres in its modern history on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish celebration at Bondi beach in Sydney. At least 16 people died, including one of the alleged gunmen, with more than 40 wounded. The victims include a 10-year-old child, a Holocaust survivor and a London-born rabbi. The alleged gunmen behind the attack are a father and son, who are suspected of using legally obtained firearms to commit the massacre. One of the suspects, Naveed Akram, 24, was known to New South Wales police and security agencies. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is facing questions about gun law reform and security failings as the country reels from the attack. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian Australia senior reporter Ben Doherty – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Has east Asia replaced the US as the world's cultural centre? With Jeff Yang. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
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
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
